US Department of Labor announces grant supplement to continue health coverage for jobless Georgia workers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of a $105,600 National Emergency Grant supplement to the Georgia Department of Labor. The supplement will enable the state to continue funding partial premium payments for health insurance coverage for qualified jobless workers and expand the number of people served under the grant to about 460.

The supplement will allow Georgia to provide up to three months of "gap filler" payments for unemployed individuals who are receiving Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits and are eligible for the Health Coverage Tax Credit program. Under the program, eligible individuals can receive 72.5 percent of premium costs for qualified health insurance programs. These payments cover the period of time it takes to complete Internal Revenue Service enrollment, processing and first payments under the HCTC program.

"This funding will give dislocated workers the assurance that their job loss won't result in a total loss of health insurance for them and their families, allowing them to focus on searching for new careers that pay family-supporting wages and provide long-term benefits," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

A $297,000 National Emergency Grant was awarded to the state of Georgia on March 4, 2010. The initial award was followed by a supplemental award of $280,000 in May 2011. Today's supplement of $105,600 brings the total awarded for this project to $682,600.

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/.