LANSING (WXYZ) — The State of Michigan has provided a grant that will make up to $500 in coronavirus aid available to workers in the restaurant and lodging industry.
On Tuesday, the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association announced the $2.5 million grant from the Michigan Department of Treasury.
The money will help support workers financially impacted by the ongoing pandemic.
“We are thankful to Gov. Whitmer and the Michigan legislators for their support of the state’s hospitality workers,” said Justin Winslow, president and CEO of Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. “This important funding will make a difference for thousands of Michigan’s hospitality workers who have been struggling to survive after losing full-time work and high-paying jobs because of the pandemic. More than half of the 600,000 hospitality workers in Michigan temporarily lost their jobs and too many restaurants across the state were unable to reopen after the shutdown.”
The payments of up to $500 will be given to approved applicants until resources run out, a release states.
To apply, you must be a Michigan resident and show proof of employment in the hospitality industry on March 10, when Gov. Whitmer declared the state of emergency. You must also show proof that you have been furloughed or lost your job in wake of the pandemic.
“The pandemic has been very hard on all of our employees and business,” said Senator Jim Stamas, R-Midland, who sponsored Public Act 123 of 2020 authorizing use of available federal CARES Act funding to help Michigan families, workers and schools affected by the COVID-19 health crisis, including $2.5M in assistance to hospitality workers who may not be eligible for full unemployment benefits. “The money for the employee relief fund is going to help these employees make it through until our economy is fully reopened.”
Eligible applicants can apply online between Sept. 22 and Oct. 1 by going to: https://www.mrlaef.org/relief-fund.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
Visit our The Rebound Detroit, a place where we are working to help people impacted financially from the coronavirus. We have all the information on everything available to help you through this crisis and how to access it.