WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,549,275 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment assistance to approximately 520 workers affected by layoffs at the Washington State Department of Corrections, the Washington State Employment Security Department, the Washington State Liquor Control Board, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, and eight other Washington state and local government agencies.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $868,974 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing employment-related services to about 400 workers affected by the closure of the Sonoco Packaging Products in Devens, Mass., and related layoffs by Debbie's Staffing in Ayer, Mass., which provided temporary workers to the Sonoco packaging center.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 383,000, an increase of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 373,000. The 4-week moving average was 374,500, an increase of 3,750 from the previous week's revised average of 370,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending May 19, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

14 federal agencies collaborate to enhance global competitiveness of US manufacturers and create jobs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $35 million in funds to develop, enhance and promote Self-Employment Assistance programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, guidance released today clarifies that states may enroll participants who are currently receiving or eligible for federally funded Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 370,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 372,000. The 4-week moving average was 370,000, a decrease of 5,500 from the previous week's revised average of 375,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending May 12, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced grants totaling $20,518,598 to 18 nonprofit organizations across the country to fund employment-related services for formerly incarcerated adults who are returning to high-poverty, high-crime communities. These grants represent the fifth round of funding under the department's Reintegration of Ex-Offenders-Adult program, through which more than $98 million has been awarded to date.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $400,000 National Emergency Grant to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of the severe storms, flooding and landslides that hit the Hawaiian islands of Kauai and Maui between March 3 and 11.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 370,000, unchanged from the previous week's revised figure of 370,000. The 4-week moving average was 375,000, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's revised average of 379,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending May 5, unchanged from the prior week's revised rate.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $7.2 million National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment assistance to approximately 3,200 workers in Florida who were affected by layoffs resulting from the termination of NASA's Space Shuttle Program.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $947,841 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to about 125 workers affected by the closure of Clearwater Paper Corp.'s sawmill in Lewiston, Idaho.

On Nov. 22, 2011, many workers were laid off as a result of the sawmill's closure. Clearwater Paper manufactures products including consumer tissue and bleached paperboard and pulp at 15 locations throughout the United States and Canada.

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $7,842,250 National Emergency Grant to assist more than 1,200 workers affected by layoffs that resulted from the closure of the Hovensa oil refinery on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hovensa was the largest private employer in the U.S. Virgin Islands and operated one of the largest oil refineries in the Western Hemisphere.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 367,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 368,000. The 4-week moving average was 379,000, a decrease of 5,250 from the previous week's revised average of 384,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.5 percent for the week ending April 28, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate of 2.6 percent.

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a National Emergency Grant supplement of $448,197 to provide re-employment services to about 713 workers affected by layoffs at Electrolux in Jefferson and Webster City, Iowa, and three of its suppliers in Ames and Webster City, Iowa.

Increased funding to help speed job seekers return to work while maintaining integrity of UI system

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded nearly $65.5 million in grants to 40 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia to implement and/or continue re-employment and eligibility assessments for Unemployment Insurance beneficiaries.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 365,000, a decrease of 27,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 392,000. The 4-week moving average was 383,500, an increase of 750 from the previous week's revised average of 382,750.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending April 21, unchanged from the prior week.

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $859,793 National Emergency Grant to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts following severe storms that struck Kentucky on Feb. 29 and continued through March 3.

"The storm-battered citizens of Kentucky will get much-needed help with clean-up and recovery in the counties hardest hit by recent storms," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The department's funding is part of the federal government's commitment to helping these communities fully recover and rebuild."

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending April 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 388,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 389,000. The 4-week moving average was 381,750, an increase of 6,250 from the previous week's revised average of 375,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending April 14, unchanged from the prior week.

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $2,736,650 National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing re-employment and job training services to approximately 900 military spouses and civilian defense workers in Washington state who were impacted by decisions of the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. The commission consolidated Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base to create Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which serves the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $7,733,360 National Emergency Grant increment that will continue funding approximately 700 temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts following the severe storms and floods that struck southeastern Ohio between April 4 and May 15, 2011.