Over 200,000 Hero Pay Applications Denied

(KNSI) — More than 200,000 people who asked to be part of the Frontline Worker Pay Bonus Program got an email Tuesday saying their applications were denied.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry says many rejections were due to incorrect or duplicate applications. Others were denied because they had side gigs they were still paid from, the applicant had maxed out unemployment benefits, or because the applicant’s identification couldn’t be verified.

The Minnesota Legislature allocated $500 million for 667,000 workers in 15 frontline sectors who had to work through the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. Each check was to be at least $750. By the time the application window closed, more than 1.1 million submissions had been turned in. As of now, if the over 900,000 accepted applications are all approved, the checks will be in equal amounts for around $400.

Those who were denied have until the end of the month to appeal.