Congresswoman Aumua Amata is expecting a decision this week from Congress on an extension and expansion of COVID-19 Pandemic unemployment benefits so that all legally valid workers in American Samoa can qualify.
She said she testified June 30 before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and also written to three key Senate Committee chairs: Labor, Finance and Natural Resources for assistance.
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A press release from the Governor’s Office Friday said out of 820 applications for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program only 37 have been approved, 314 were disqualified because of foreign nationality and the balance are pending due to incomplete documentation.
Congresswoman Aumua expects to provide a significant update on action in Congress on the new stimulus package which should include information on the unemployment assistance programs for the territories.
