U.S. Labor Department announces release of $20.4 million in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to Hawaii

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $20,351,150 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Hawaii. Hawaii qualified for these funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by including certain family-friendly provisions in its UI law.

"Hawaii previously received part of its share of UI modernization funds for its longstanding policy of helping unemployed workers with recent work experience receive the assistance they need and deserve," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "To qualify for the remainder of the state's funding, Hawaii now has updated its law to make it easier for workers seeking part-time work and workers who become unemployed for compelling family reasons to be eligible for benefits. These are the right things to do for workers and are good for the state's economic recovery."

The Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations 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. Hawaii's approved application will be posted at the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/recovery . Other approved applications can also be found on this site.