NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN/WATE) — The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Jeff McCord said the state will be able to start processing new unemployment claims within the next seven days.

Tennessee to provide extra $300 in unemployment benefits 

The state will provide an additional $300 a week in federal assistance to people who are unemployed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic; however, the unemployment assistance is not longterm.

The $300 benefit will be added to the current maximum state payout of $275. Payments will be retroactive to Aug. 1, the department said. Claimants currently receiving benefits do not need to take action. The state will automatically add the lost wages benefit to their weekly payment.

McCord saying on Tuesday it will only last for three weeks — unless extended.

“I do want to make sure it’s understood that it’s just those three weeks,” McCord said. “Then we’ll wait and see if we do get another allotment.”

Tennessee was approved for federal funding over the weekend. President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this month making the money available.

The request was made after the end of a $600-per-week payout under the federal CARES Act, the emergency assistance package for the new coronavirus response.

Unemployment in Tennessee skyrocketed after businesses closed or limited operations amid the virus outbreak.