Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed a new bill into law, titled Frontline Worker Payments, that was created to show appreciation for Minnesota residents who worked on the front lines during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding for this program will be provided through the state; however, employers in qualifying frontline sectors must notify employees of their eligibility within 15 days after the application period opens. While the Department of Labor and Industry creates a FAQ resource to help employers with the notification requirements, the state is providing information and updates on the availability of the employer form and Frontline Worker Pay.
Once the application period has opened, qualified employees will have 45 days to apply for payment. Denied applicants will have a 15-day window during which an appeal can be made. Following the full 60-day period, a final list of eligible applicants will be determined. Equal payments will be made to each recipient, with the final amount determined by the number of eligible applicants, not to exceed $1,500.
Eligible applicants are those who:
- Have been employed for at least 120 hours in Minnesota, in one or more frontline sectors, between March 15, 2020, and June 30, 2021.
- Were not able to telework due to the nature of the work performed and worked in close proximity to people outside their household.
- Provided direct COVID-19 patient care and had an adjusted gross income of less than $350,000 if married or filing jointly $175,000 for all other filers.
- Held frontline positions but did not provide direct COVID-19 patient care, with an adjusted gross income of $185,000 or less if married filing jointly, or $85,000 for all other filers.
- Did not receive unemployment benefit payments for more than 20 cumulative weeks between March 15, 2020, and June 26, 2021.
Eligible frontline sectors include:
- Long-term care and home care
- Health care
- Emergency responders
- Public health, social service, and regulatory service
- Courts and corrections
- Childcare
- Schools, including charter schools, state schools, and higher education
- Food service, including production, processing, preparation, sale, and delivery
- Retail, including sales, fulfillment, distribution, and delivery
- Temporary shelters and hotels
- Building services, including maintenance, janitorial, and security
- Public transit
- Ground and air transportation services
- Manufacturing
- Vocational rehabilitation
