RELEASE: Reps. Freiberg and Frazier encourage residents to prepare to apply for Frontline Worker Bonus Pay

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONTACT: Lindy Sowmick, 989-289-8593

May 4, 2022

Reps. Freiberg and Frazier encourage residents to prepare to apply for Frontline Worker Bonus Pay 

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL - New Hope) and Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL - Golden Valley) are encouraging eligible residents to prepare to apply for Minnesota’s Frontline Worker Bonus Pay. After the Legislature passed and Governor Walz signed the bill providing the payments into law last week, the state of Minnesota is currently developing an online application system. Workers can sign up to receive notifications about updates at frontlinepay.mn.gov. 

“Last year, lawmakers promised our dedicated frontline workers – who kept our state moving forward, despite putting their own health on the line – a ‘thank you’ in the form of a bonus payment. Now, these heroes are finally getting the extra pay they deserve for their sacrifices,” said Rep. Frazier, author of the proposal. “During a time when Minnesotans are struggling with increasing costs, I encourage frontline workers to sign up to receive updates about the application process. I’m glad that we were able to come to a deal with the Senate to deliver what we’ve owed to our frontline workers.”

“I’ve seen how much our frontline workers sacrificed during the height of this pandemic. This includes long-term care workers who were short-staffed; nurses who were overworked; and school, postal, and janitorial workers who kept working so our community could keep going. We owe them a lot, and this is just a small thank you,” said Rep. Mike Freiberg, chair of the Preventive Health Policy Division. “If you had to work in person during the pandemic prior to vaccines being available, you probably qualify for this, and I encourage you to apply. I also remain committed to other important solutions – like Paid Family Leave and Earned Sick and Safe Time – so all Minnesota workers and their families can have economic security.” 

The legislation invests $500 million worth of bonus pay for over 600,000 frontline workers, including health care workers, first responders, child care providers, food service and 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. A full FAQ document, including eligibility information, is available here.

Clips from worker and member testimony on the proposal this year have been documented here.

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Rep. Cedrick Frazier speaks at the ceremonial bill signing, 5-2-22.