US Department of Labor announces $11.8 million in unemployment insurance modernization funds to South Dakota

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $11,765,089 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of South Dakota. South Dakota qualified for the remaining two-thirds of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by enabling certain part-time workers to be eligible for UI benefits and by providing additional weeks of benefits to people who are enrolled in training or education programs.

"The updates that allow South Dakota to qualify for today's funding are testament to the state's legislators and its governor recognizing the needs of modern workers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "While our economic recovery is gaining momentum, many workers are still facing a challenging job market and that makes a robust unemployment insurance system as important as ever."

The South Dakota Department of Laborcan use the funds to pay unemployment benefits or, if appropriated by the legislature, to administer the state unemployment insurance program or deliver employment services.

"I'm pleased to see the state has qualified for this funding and that it's being released," said Sen. Tim Johnson. "Our nation is going through a rough economic time, and it's important that these resources are available to help workers get back on their feet."

"I'm pleased to see funding from the Recovery Act resulting in training and education that will improve our state's workforce and strengthen our economy," said Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. "This funding not only helps South Dakotans weather tough economic times but also invests in the future of our state."

The Recovery Act made a total of $7 billion available in UI modernization incentive payments to states that make specific updates to their UI programs. Each state can qualify for a share of those funds by showing that its law includes those provisions. South Dakota's approved application will be posted at http://www.doleta.gov/recovery/. Other approved applications can also be found on this site.