U.S. Department of Labor Awards Over $30 Million in Dislocated Worker Grants in Response to the Coronavirus Public Health Emergency

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of seven Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs), totaling $30,170,311, to help address the workforce-related impacts of the public health emergency related to the coronavirus pandemic. These awards are funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act which provided $345 million for DWGs intended to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. After distributing $131,286,863 in DWG funding to 24 states and territories on April 14, 2020, this latest announcement brings the total amount awarded to $161,457,174.

“The CARES Act provides valuable relief to American workers who are affected by coronavirus,” stated Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employment and Training Administration John Pallasch. “The grants awarded today will help Americans return to work in roles that focus on addressing the impact of coronavirus in their communities.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the coronavirus a nationwide public health emergency on Jan. 31, 2020. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also issued coronavirus emergency declarations for states, outlying areas and Indian tribal governments on March 13, 2020. These federal declarations enable the Secretary of Labor to award Disaster Recovery DWGs to help address the workforce-related impacts of this public health emergency.  

Disaster Recovery DWGs may provide eligible participants disaster-relief employment to address coronavirus impacts within their communities, as well as employment and training activities. Employment Recovery DWGs provide reemployment services to eligible individuals affected by mass layoffs, such as those resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. 

Seven states will receive award funding in this wave. They include Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, DWGs temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker training and employment programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses.

Learn more about the most up-to-date DWG awards information.

For further information about the coronavirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.