INDIANAPOLIS — Thousands of Hoosiers receiving unemployment benefits will get an extra boost from the federal government.
Indiana is taking part in a program that will provide an additional $300 a week in benefits. But, not everyone on unemployment qualifies.
"I think it'll really make a difference," Mindy Dyson, said.
Dyson, a mother of five, lost her job in the service industry because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has been relying on unemployment benefits until she's able to find a new job. The additional $300 will be a much-needed boost.
"It will keep us afloat at least until everything else comes through which I think could be the difference between people being homeless you know and people really hit even harder throughout," Dyson said.
The aid will impact more than 200,000 Hoosiers but in order to qualify for it your current weekly unemployment benefits must be at least $100.
"I thought, 'Oh my God, that is not fair,'" Regina Edwards said. "That's not fair at all because the people who make under $100 needed the most the help more than anything."
Edwards falls in that category and said she's left with a lot of unanswered questions.
"Why should there be any limitations on it period?" Edwards said. "You didn't have it on the $600."
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development said this is part of the federal executive order and not a state-based decision.
"It is really strange they put this requirement on the program because it doesn't match what we've seen before," Josh Richardson, with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, said.
Now they are working to get systems in place so they can start distributing the extra funds as soon as possible to those who do qualify.
"The reason why we are here is to help those Hoosiers that are in a situation where they qualify for these benefits so we will do it as quickly as possible," Richardson said.
It could take up to a month for the extra unemployment benefits to start. The payments will be retroactive to Aug. 1. You do not need to fill out a separate application, the money will automatically be distributed if you qualify and continue to file your weekly vouchers.
