Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) was a federal program providing supplemental benefits to Americans who are unemployed or partially unemployed due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding for this program was limited and came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund.
The certification period for LWA benefits ended on October 24, 2020. Due to limited funding, we are unable to pay LWA benefits after that date.
- How much did LWA benefits pay, and for how long?
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Lost Wages Assistance benefits provided eligible Coloradans with an additional $300 weekly benefit payment. Colorado received federal approval to pay six weeks of benefits, covering the weeks beginning July 26 and ending September 5, 2020. Due to limited funding, we are unable to pay any LWA benefits after October 24, 2020.
- Who was eligible to receive LWA benefits
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To have received LWA benefits, claimants must have been eligible for at least $100 in weekly unemployment benefits during the covered weeks. This included claimants receiving benefits from any of the following programs:
- Regular unemployment insurance (UI)
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
- State Extended Benefits (SEB)
- Work-Share Program/Short-Time Compensation (STC)
Most claimants also needed to certify that their unemployment or partial unemployment is due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The certification period for LWA benefits ended on October 24, 2020. Due to limited funding, we are unable to pay LWA benefits after that date.
- What can I do if I am deemed ineligible for LWA benefits?
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A claimant's weekly unemployment benefit amount is calculated based on the wages reported in the base period. Please review the Statement of Wages and Possible Benefits (form UIB-5) which was provided to you listing the wages reported on your claim. If you need to correct the reported wages in your base period, please fill out the back of the Monetary Determination of Benefits form, attach supporting documentation of additional or corrected wages (e.g. pay stubs, W-2, etc.), and follow the instructions on the form to submit your documentation by mail or fax.
We will review your request for a wage correction and issue a decision that will be mailed to you. If you disagree with our decision regarding your request for a wage correction, please follow the instructions on the decision to file an appeal.
For more information on available assistance programs, visit our page