NMDL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an effort to support greater public awareness and improve delivery of unemployment insurance services to people who face obstacles to access, the U.S. Department of Labor Tuesday announced the award of $15.9 million in equity grant funding to state unemployment insurance systems in New Mexico, Alabama, Idaho and Missouri.
Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the grants will fund projects aimed at ensuring race, age, ethnicity, language proficiency, disability status, geographic location or other systemic barriers do not prevent those in need from access to UI services.
Funds will support projects designed to promote awareness, simplify instructions, provide translation services, enhance technology, increase staffing and address other specific needs of disadvantaged communities.
Tuesday’s grant recipients and total funds allocated:
- New Mexico: $2,258,460
- Alabama: $4,562,000
- Idaho: $2,283,000
- Missouri: $6,840,000
In August 2021, the department issued guidance to inform states about the availability of $260 million in grant funding. The department announced the initial award of $20 million in grants March 1, 2022.
As funding is awarded to additional states, the department will issue subsequent news releases.
