Senator Mary Kunesh (DFL-New Brighton) said today that more than 667,000 Minnesota frontline workers are eligible for one-time bonus checks of up to $750 and she encouraged workers to sign up for updates about eligibility and the application process at frontlinepay.mn.gov. The legislation authorizing the checks passed the Senate recently and was signed into law by Governor Walz.
The measure, which rewards the states’ frontline workers who got Minnesota through more than two years of a deadly pandemic, will help workers who are still dealing with the health and economic fallout that hit them hard, said Sen. Kunesh. Minnesotans, including workers in health care or long-term care facilities, child-care workers, grocery store staff, and retail employees, are eligible.
“Minnesota’s Frontline workers had to report for work in the darkest days of the pandemic, without the option of staying home, supporting Minnesotans through a very tough time,” said Sen. Kunesh. “They put their own health and safety on the line to keep our state running. Without them, the health and economic crisis caused by the pandemic would have been much worse. These bonus checks recognize their sacrifices.”
The legislation invests $500 million in bonus pay for 667,000 frontline workers, including health care workers, first responders, child care providers, food service, retail workers, and more. The legislation also included a measure to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, preventing businesses from facing a tax increase.
Workers will have 45 days to apply once the application process opens.
Learn more about Sen. Kunesh.
Read more news from Sen. Kunesh.