U.S. Labor Department announces release of $25.6 million in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to Nevada

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $25,645,804 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Nevada. Nevada qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits.

"Nevada updated its UI program to include a key provision that better meets the needs of the 21st century workforce," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Nevada now uses recent wages when determining eligibility for benefits, which enables unemployed workers who are relatively new entrants to the workforce obtain the assistance they need and deserve."

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation can use the funds to pay unemployment benefits or, if appropriated by the legislature, for administering its unemployment insurance program or delivering employment services.

The Recovery Act made a total of $7 billion available in UI modernization incentive payments to states that include certain eligibility provisions in their UI programs. Each state can qualify for a share of those funds by showing that its law includes those provisions. Nevada's approved application will be posted at the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/recovery. The approved applications of other states also can be found at this site.