WASHINGTON – To continue to promote equitable access, prevent and detect fraud, and recover fraudulent payments and ensure timely benefits, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the publication of an Unemployment Insurance Equitable Access toolkit to help states provide all workers with equitable access. The department has engaged in active efforts to help states promote equitable access for all workers, representing the most consistent focus on equitable access in the 90-year history of the UI program.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an initial grant of $800,000 to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security for cleanup and recovery activities after severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes in March 2023 killed 21 people and ravaged towns.

In the week ending April 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 245,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 239,000 to 240,000. The 4-week moving average was 239,750, a decrease of 500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 240,000 to 240,250.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of $90,188 to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to provide continued reemployment and training services to people in the Lower Merrimack Valley affected by manufacturing industry layoffs. 

WASHINGTON - To continue its support of the Biden-Harris administration’s historic infrastructure, manufacturing and clean energy investments, the U.S.

WASHINGTON – To help workers access new, high-quality career opportunities in rural communities, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $44.2 million in funding in Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities initiative demonstration grants.

In the week ending April 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 239,000, an increase of 11,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 228,000. The 4-week moving average was 240,000, an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 237,750.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the initial award of a $7,469,452 grant to California for cleanup and recovery activities after severe winter storms in December and January caused flooding and extensive waterway damage.

In the week ending April 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 228,000, a decrease of 18,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 48,000 from 198,000 to 246,000. The 4-week moving average was 237,750, a decrease of 4,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 43,750 from 198,250 to 242,000.

WASHINGTON – To maximize the impact of the Biden-Harris administration’s historic infrastructure, manufacturing and clean energy investments, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $80 million in funding through its Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program.

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will highlight the announcement during her travel this week as part of the administration’s “Investing in America” tour.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of $468,206 to WorkForce West Virginia to enable the state to continue to provide temporary jobs for cleanup and recovery services in nine counties affected by severe storms in February and March 2021.  

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of nearly $2.7 million to the Texas Workforce Commission to support continued employment and training services for transitioning military service members and their spouses near and at the U.S. Army’s Fort Hood installation.

In the week ending March 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 198,000, an increase of 7,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 191,000. The 4-week moving average was 198,250, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 196,250.

In the week ending March 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 191,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 192,000. The 4-week moving average was 196,250, a decrease of 250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 196,500.

WASHINGTON – To help identify and address barriers workers face regarding access to state unemployment insurance benefits, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of nearly $20 million in equity grants to Florida, Mississippi, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $15 million in grant funding to support programs that help youth – particularly those in rural areas, people of color and people with disabilities – to overcome obstacles to educational and workforce success with training and career guidance.   

In the week ending March 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 192,000, a decrease of 20,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 211,000 to 212,000. The 4-week moving average was 196,500, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 197,000 to 197,250.

WASHINGTON – Amid more than 66,000 wildfires that burned nearly 7.6 million acres of land across the country in 2022, students in Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers combined to provide 204,633 total hours of support to federal firefighters – a 20 percent increase over the previous year – the U.S. Department of Labor announced today.

WASHINGTON – For women working in the U.S., the date of Equal Pay Day isn’t a day of celebration. Rather, the day is a reminder that it takes women 15 months to earn the same amount as men earned in 12 months.

WASHINGTON – To expand opportunities for youth workers across the nation and improve their employment outcomes, the U.S. Department of Labor has selected the first nine communities and their associated partners in its Youth Systems Building Academy. The nine chosen “communities” held their first in-person session from March 7-9, 2023, and will collaborate online before the academy convenes again in the summer of 2023.