WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the first round of awards to Iowa, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Utah, Colorado, and Missouri as part of the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program.

“President Trump has used every authority in his power to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Following his Presidential Memorandum, the Department of Labor quickly released important guidance to guide States as they implement the Lost Wages Assistance program, and the Department is working closely with our partners at FEMA to ensure States have the resources they need to continue supporting Americans temporarily out of work. I’m encouraged that these States moved quickly to implement benefits, and we are working with more States to help them provide continued benefits to Americans in need. We also appreciate that some States have determined that their strong re-opening and recovery removes the need for continued supplemental benefits.”