US Department of Labor announces $297,000 grant to provide Georgia workers with health insurance payments

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $297,000 grant to provide an estimated 280 jobless workers with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage.

"Unemployment should not affect a family's health and safety," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Jane Oates. "This grant will help provide peace of mind by assisting eligible workers with health insurance premium payments while they look for new jobs."

Awarded to the Georgia Department of Labor, this grant will be used to make "gap filler" payments for unemployed individuals who are receiving Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits and are eligible for the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) program. Under the program, eligible individuals can receive 80 percent of premium costs for qualified health insurance programs.

These payments cover the gap period, that is, the month(s) to complete Internal Revenue Service enrollment, processing and first payments under the HCTC program.

This grant will be funded by resources made available for health coverage National Emergency Grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG/.