Kentucky Joins Other States Offering Cash Bonuses To Get People To Rejoin Workforce

Kentucky is the latest state to offer hefty cash incentives to persuade people to return to the workforce as the economy begins to bounce back from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to ABC News, Gov. Andy Beshear announced a new plan earlier this week to pay 15,000 Kentuckians on unemployment insurance a $1,500 bonus for rejoining the workforce before the end of July.

According to a statement from Beshear’s office, the program will be funded by using some of the $22.5 million left over from the March 2020 CARES Act.

In order for applicants to qualify, they must be a Kentucky resident, be employed by a business in the state between June 24 and July 2021, and have an active unemployment insurance claim as of June 23.

Employers will need to complete an online verification form that the employee has worked 120 hours in the four weeks following being hired. The application process will open via an online form on Aug. 1.

“We want every Kentuckian working and participating as we sprint out of this pandemic with our economy booming,” Beshear said on Thursday via a statement.