Millions of unemployed people in California will receive a $300 per week jobless aid boost starting on Monday, Sept. 28.

California's Employment Development Department (EDD) said it would begin paying out weeks four and five of the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) payments, and it would start next week.

California has also received approval for the sixth week of LWA payments, provided there are enough funds. The LWA payments mean eligible recipients can receive an additional $300 per week, in addition to their regular jobless aid.

The EDD said it has finished issuing the first three weeks of LWA payments to all people in the first phase. This phase included 3.2 million people, with payments amounting to $2.7 billion.

The EDD is still working through phase two payments for people who still need to verify if their unemployment is related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The EDD noted that when it starts paying out two more weeks of LWA payments next week, these payments will only go to all qualified people who were part of phases one and two. These payments cover benefit weeks ending Aug. 22 and 29.

Payments will be posted to EDD debit cards or checks to be sent in the mail. It depends on the previous payment methods.

"Those who meet eligibility requirements for both weeks in the same period will receive a payment of $600 while those with the weeks spread across two bi-weekly periods will receive two $300 payments close together," the EDD said.

The EDD further noted that it is still in the process of making the first rounds of LWA payments to people in phase two. These are people who need to submit a statement, attesting that their unemployment is caused by the pandemic.

About 800,000 people are in phase two, according to the agency's estimates. Some self-attestations are still coming in and being processed.

The EDD said that all beneficiaries receiving the first three weeks of LWA payments should meet the following federal requirements:

  • Were previously paid either regular UI or PUA benefits for the weeks ending Aug. 1, 8 and/or 15.
  • Have a minimum weekly benefit award of $100 or more on their initial claim, even if they received a lower payment during this time period because they reported wages.
  • Attested that their unemployment is caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The EDD said it is posting images in qualified people's UI online accounts, for those still needing to provide certification. The EDD is also sending them emails, texts, and/or mailed notice about the requirements necessary to process their LWA payments.

Claimants need to follow the instructions provided to complete their self-attestation. The self-attestation is just a yes or no question.

If a claimant answers no, the EDD is required to disqualify the person.The department said about 36,000 people had already responded "no" to the self-attestation.

The EDD confirmed that California has been approved for a possible sixth and final week of the $300 LWA payments. It would cover the benefit week ending Sept. 5.

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