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News Release

US Labor Department awards more than $30M in grants to improve states’ unemployment insurance program operations

38 states, District of Columbia receive funding

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced awards totaling approximately $30.4 million to 39 workforce agencies nationwide for initiatives to improve the delivery and management of state unemployment programs.

The funds will support efforts to improve UI program operations, better assist those eligible for the program, prevent and detect improper UI benefit payments, and modernize outdated information technology systems to ensure program efficiency.

“As America’s economy continues to experience the longest stretch of job creation on record, we also need to rethink how best to administer programs and resources to help people transition into gainful employment,” said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Portia Wu. “These grants will help states modernize their UI programs, and ensure system integrity, so that those who qualify are receiving the support and services they need.”

These grants will fund the development of strategies to prevent and detect improper payments to individuals that continue to claim UI after returning to work, fraud prevention strategies, the Treasury Offset Program for recovery of overpayments, improving accessibility to the UI program, establish reemployment strategies, and continue support of state consortia for modernization of the program.

The awards include four state consortia grants totaling approximately $14.5 million for projects designed to improve overall program quality, performance, and integrity.

A list of grant awardees follows this release.

Fiscal Year 2016 Awards

Funding Category

Recommended Amount

Improved Operations

$15,913,567.06

Consortium Projects

$14,509,320.59

Total

$30,422,887.65

 

Improved Operations Projects

Recommended Amount

Alaska

 $115,722.00

Alabama

 $499,000.00

Arizona

 $83,564.00

California

 $500,000.00

Colorado

 $500,000.00

Connecticut

 $500,000.00

District of Columbia

 $500,000.00

Delaware

 $331,060.75

Florida

 $500,000.00

Georgia

 $500,000.00

Hawaii

 $500,000.00

Iowa

 $500,000.00

Idaho

 $500,000.00

Illinois

 $499,999.65

Indiana

 $497,730.00

Kentucky

 $500,000.00

Louisiana

 $500,000.00

Maryland

 $485,997.81

Mississippi

 $500,000.00

Montana

 $500,000.00

North Carolina

 $500,000.00

North Dakota

 $259,332.85

Nebraska

 $500,000.00

New Hampshire

 $499,534.00

New Mexico

 $496,520.00

New York

 $500,000.00

Oklahoma

 $500,000.00

Oregon

 $500,000.00

Pennsylvania

 $500,000.00

South Dakota

 $500,000.00

Tennessee

 $500,000.00

Utah

 $403,026.00

Virginia

 $500,000.00

Wisconsin

 $500,000.00

Wyoming

 $242,080.00

Total

 $15,913,567.06

 

 

Consortium Projects

Recommended Amount

Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine

$2,994,608.00

Idaho, Iowa, and Vermont

$4,981,084.00

Maryland and West Virginia

$1,533,629.59

Wyoming

$5,000,000.00

Total

$14,509,320.59

 

Agency
Employment and Training Administration
Date
October 26, 2016
Release Number
16-2075-NAT