new unemployment

Is now..

40,926.

If you're receiving unemployment...you might soon be getting a little extra relief.

The governor says the state will apply for a program that will give those who qualify an extra $400 a week.

Abc 36's bobbi spoke to a lexington mother who says she could really use the extra help.

"my initial reaction was what am i going to do?"

That's how jasmine sanford...and many other kentuckians...felt when they stopped getting an extra 600 dollars a week from the federal government at the end of july.

Jasmine sanford: "that monetary value of the unemployment was going to be next to nothing, so the extra 600 dollars was able to boost my paycheck."

Sanford says she took a leave of absence in march from walmart to care for her children when schools closed.

Now...five months later...the kids are still at home...which means extra groceries...school supplies...and keeping them from watching tv all day....so she could really use some extra help.

Quick nat governor andy beshear says the state will apply thursday for a new program that could bring an extra $400 in benefits a week for struggling kentuckians.

$300 will come from the federal government...beshe ar says the state would cover the remaining $100 using cares act funds.

It would definitely impact the value of my employment and allow me to contribute to my household sandford says that means a lot...especially because the pandemic has hit more than just her finances.

"i've lost family members to the coronavirus.

It's affected us all.

Not just monetarily.

Mentally, physically - it's just been draining."

Though you couldn't tell from talking to her.

Sandford tells me her faith keeps her going.

"to be honest, before corona, i was naturally a warrior.

You can't worry about things that are out of your control.

I'm just living