Guam will apply for Trump's payment program despite lack of funds

The governor has given the go-ahead to apply for President Trump's extra unemployment payment program. While it could mean an additional $400 a week for qualified claimants, it's still not clear if the executive order issued early last week will pass legal muster. 


The president signed the order Aug. 10, amid a continued stalemate in congress over additional assistance after the $600 federal pandemic unemployment compensation ended in late July. As of this week though, only about 10 states and territories have signed up for Trump's proposal because as labor Director David Dell'Isola explains there are still many unanswered questions.

"And a lot of the stuff were for states who had UI programs, we don't have a UI program as a territory so they're carving out special guidances just for us," he said.

One of the main questions the governor had was whether GovGuam would have to front the money, and then wait on reimbursement. In her press conference Thursday, she said they got that clarification.

"So in discussions with FEMA, the upfront costs for the 75 percent, will be drawn or be loaded up, through the department of labor," Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said 

She also said the program will be limited, at least for now.

"The information is that this program will last for three weeks, and so the cost share of the $100 for 22,000 people is not going to be as extreme as I had thought it would be so I am having my director of BBMR and also DOA look at what funds are available to be able to provide the 25 percent," she said. 

But with the loss of the FPUC, and still no action from Congress, any additional money will help for the unemployed and underemployed, who are now only eligible for a maximum of $345 under the PUA program.

"Beyond three weeks is another question, but we'll address it as it comes up," the governor said.