WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $41,247,756 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico qualified for its full share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by including in its law provisions that assist recent entrants to the workforce, part-time workers and individuals who become unemployed because of compelling family reasons.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced awards totaling $191.5 million to 40 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for unemployment insurance program integrity and technology infrastructure systems. The grants are intended to accelerate actions to reduce UI improper payment rates; provide an opportunity for modernizing UI tax and benefits systems; and enable the design of technology-based tools to prevent, detect and recover improper UI payments.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending September 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 414,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 412,000. The 4-week moving average was 414,750, an increase of 3,750 from the previous week's revised average of 411,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.0 percent for the week ending August 27, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.0 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has released $9,278,599 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of Vermont. Vermont qualified for its remaining share of funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by including in its law provisions that assist part-time workers and people who are upgrading their skills.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $277,617 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to continue providing training and re-employment services to about 200 workers affected by layoffs resulting from the closure of the Dell Inc.'s call center in Twin Falls, Idaho.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending August 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 409,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 421,000. The 4-week moving average was 410,250, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average of 408,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.0 percent for the week ending August 20, unchanged from the prior week's revised rate of 3.0 percent.

Special Factor: As a result of a labor dispute between Communications Workers of America and Verizon Communications, at least 12,500 initial claims were filed in the week ending 8/13/2011 and at least 8,500 initial claims were filed in the week ending 8/20/2011 .

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,825,595 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to about 250 workers laid off by XL Four Star Beef Inc., following the June closure of the company's beef processing and packing plant in Nampa, Idaho.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $918,010 National Emergency Grant to provide an array of services to about 325 workers being affected by layoffs at Polaris Industries in Osceola, Wis., and Robin Manufacturing U.S.A. Inc. in Hudson, Wis., to assist them in gaining new employment.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending August 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 408,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 399,000. The 4-week moving average was 402,500, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average of 406,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.9 percent for the week ending August 6, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 2.9 percent.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending August 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 395,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 402,000. The 4-week moving average was 405,000, a decrease of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average of 408,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.9 percent for the week ending July 30, a 0.1 percentage point decrease from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.0 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $16,233,360 National Emergency Grant that will create 1,144 temporary jobs to assist in cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of spring storms and flooding that occurred in Ohio. Communities across 15 counties located in the Appalachian region were affected by the storms, which occurred between April 4 and May 15.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $670,000 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment services to approximately 145 former workers of FTCA Inc. who were affected by layoffs at the company's plant in Somerset, Pa. FTCA closed the travel trailer and recreational camper manufacturing facility in January.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending July 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 400,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 401,000. The 4-week moving average was 407,750, a decrease of 6,750 from the previous week's revised average of 414,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.0 percent for the week ending July 23, unchanged from the prior week's revised rate of 3.0 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3.75 million National Emergency Grant to provide training and support services to approximately 375 workers affected by the closure of Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital in Rome, Ga. The facility, a state-run mental health hospital for developmentally disabled and mentally ill patients, will be closing on Sept. 30.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3 million National Emergency Grant to create 230 temporary jobs to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in the aftermath of severe flooding along the Mississippi River in May and June.

"Floods dealt a severe blow this spring to many communities in Mississippi," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "I am pleased that the Labor Department can support cleanup efforts that will help lead to a sustained recovery for Mississippi's impacted communities."

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending July 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 398,000, a decrease of 24,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 422,000. The 4-week moving average was 413,750, a decrease of 8,500 from the previous week's revised average of 422,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.9 percent for the week ending July 16, a 0.1 percentage point decrease from the prior week's revised rate of 3.0 percent.

Special Factor: Minnesota has indicated that approximately 1,750 of their reported initial claims are a result of state employees filing due to the state government shutdown.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending July 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 418,000, an increase of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 408,000. The 4-week moving average was 421,250, a decrease of 2,750 from the previous week's revised average of 424,000.

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $379,500 National Emergency Grant to provide training and employment services to about 200 workers affected by the closure of the Premier Bankcard call center in Spearfish, S.D. The company announced in May that it would be closing the center and permanently laying off its workers.

"This grant will help dislocated workers by equipping them with the skills necessary to obtain good, stable jobs in the area's high-growth industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $248,878 National Emergency Grant to provide training and re-employment services for about 60 workers affected by layoffs at Thompson/Center Arms in Rochester, N.H., which began in January and will continue through the end of the year.

"This grant will help these dislocated workers by equipping them with the skills necessary to obtain good, stable jobs in New Hampshire's high-growth industries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.