The Guam Department of Labor has batched this year's first unemployment assistance for displaced workers amounting to $20.9 million.
The unemployment benefits will begin hitting accounts by the end of the week or early next.
Of that amount, $20.8 million comes from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, and $142,000 comes from the Lost Wages Assistance program.
This batch also includes new applications from the extended COVID relief package. Late last week the PUA application reopened on hireguam.com for qualified claimants to file a new application or continue an existing claim.
“I’m happy that this batch ran smoothly with the new system in place so that we can get our people paid. We’re ahead of most of the states by having the new policy implemented and running successfully,” Labor Director David Dell’Isola said.
Dell’Isola is also working closely with Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Del. Michael San Nicolas to clarify language in the new Covid relief package that could affect thousands of Guam’s workforce by disqualifying those still working at reduced hours. “I want to thank the public for understanding the situation and not filing a claim yet if you fall into that category. The governor, the delegate and I have been communicating with the U.S. Department of Labor, the Biden administration and other members of Congress to try and get this corrected. There are a lot of things happening right now to try and get people assistance
as the new administration steps in. We have received good feedback and we remain as one Guam. We are making it our top priority to work together until we find a solution.”
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