US Labor Department awards nearly $65.5 million to fund re-employment, eligibility assessments for Unemployment Insurance in 40 states, Puerto Rico and DC

Increased funding to help speed job seekers return to work while maintaining integrity of UI system

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded nearly $65.5 million in grants to 40 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia to implement and/or continue re-employment and eligibility assessments for Unemployment Insurance beneficiaries.

"Today's grant announcement will allow states to provide personalized assessments for recipients of Unemployment Insurance to help them get back on their feet faster," said Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis.

The funds will be used to conduct in-person assessments in One-Stop Career Centers. The assessments include the development of a re-employment plan for claimants, the provision of labor market information that is appropriate to the claimants' locations and employment prospects, a complete review of claimants' eligibility for Unemployment Insurance benefits, and a referral to re-employment services and/or training provided by the One-Stop Career Centers separate that is from the UI program.

This is the eighth year that the Labor Department has awarded grants through its Re-employment and Eligibility Assessment initiative. Recent evaluations of REA programs have shown that REAs reduce the number of weeks UI benefits are claimed by expediting the re-employment of the UI claimants. This evidence justifies expanding the use of REAs as provided for in the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, which is authorized by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.

"These grants allow us to bring UI beneficiaries into the One-Stop Career Center where they are introduced to all of the re-employment services that are available. REA participants get the best available help needed to find good jobs," said Jane Oates, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training.

Two new states, Pennsylvania and Wyoming, are receiving grants to implement REA programs, while 38 states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia are being awarded additional funds to continue their programs. Montana did not request a new grant this year but will continue to operate its program using funds from a prior year.

Information about the positive impact and effectiveness of REAs can be found in a report by Impaq International LLC at http://s.dol.gov/RK. Read more about REAs in a Labor Department blog post at http://s.dol.gov/RL.

Editor's note: A chart listing the states receiving awards and grant amounts follows this release.

Re-employment Eligibility and Assessment Grants