High number of applicants could shrink Minnesota’s hero pay

ST. PAUL, Minn. – More than 900,000 Minnesota residents have applied for bonus pay the state is doling out to people who came to work during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Applicants in Minnesota began filing in the beginning of June.

The Frontline Worker Pay bill covers people employed at least 120 hours in one frontline sector or more outside their households between March 15, 2020 and June 30, 2021.

Gov. Tim Walz says that while not everyone will meet eligibility requirements for hero pay, he anticipates the final pool could be larger than the estimated total of 667,000 people. As a result, the high number of applicants could shrink the payment size. These figure would provide about $750 for each applicant.

Minnesota lawmakers had approved $500 million for the frontline bonus checks, with around 667,000 Minnesotans expected to be eligible for the payments at that time. After applications are processed, workers can appeal a denial within 15 days. Then, the final list of eligible applicants will get an equal payment.

Minnesota residents have until July 22 to apply for the money. For more details about who is eligible for the checks, click here.