Federal Aid to Workers in Washington Storms

January 9th, 2008 Posted by Amelia

On January 8, 2008 U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a grant of more than $2.1 million to help with recovery from the recent storms in parts of Washington state.

The USDOL will immediately release $713,900 in funds to be used to create temporary jobs aiding in cleanup and recovery efforts.

“This more than $2 million grant will provide jobs to dislocated workers assisting in the cleanup and recovery efforts in Washington,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “Funds from the grant may also be used for humanitarian projects making shelter, food and clothing available to disaster victims.”

On Dec. 8, 2007, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared the Washington counties of Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.

The grant, which is awarded to the Washington State Employment Security Department, will provide workers affected by the recent storms with temporary jobs on projects related to the cleanup, demolition, repair, renovation and reconstruction of destroyed public structures, facilities and lands within the affected communities. Funds will also be used for projects that provide food, clothing, shelter and other types of humanitarian assistance for disaster victims.

Workers who were displaced and remain unemployed due to the storms are preferred for the new jobs created by this grant. In addition, workers who have been unemployed in the area long-term are also eligible.

Funding may also be used to provide job-training services for participating workers who are not able to return to permanent employment following the completion of temporary jobs.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, National Emergency Grants (NEG) are discretionary awards by the Secretary of Labor. The grants temporarily expand service capacity at the state and local levels through time-limited funding assistance in response to “significant dislocation events.” When a layoff, plant closing or other event creates a need beyond what the state can reasonably be expected to meet, the state may apply for an Emergency Grant.  In order for a state to qualify, any discretionary funds available at the state level must be included in the state’s resources.

Grants are given for different purposes. Disaster grants benefit areas afflicted by floods, wildfires, blizzards, hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Other grants include Trade-WIA Dual Enrollment grants and Trade-Health Coverage Infrastructure grants, which benefit workers affected by plant closures or massive layoffs.

A number of National Emergency Grants were awarded by the DOL in the last half of 2007.  in September, a grant of almost $1.1 million was awarded to Missouri workers who were displaced with the closure of the O’Sullivan Industries plant in Lamar, Missouri. In addition, a $250,000 grant was awarded to a new program, SI WORKS, designed to improve worker opportunities and economic development in 20 southern Illinois counties.

Also in September, a $3 million grant went to provide temporary jobs and benefits to workers in parts of Minnesota ravaged by flash floods.

More than 400 workers laid off by Micron Technology, Inc. in Boise, Idaho received assistance through a grant of more than $2 million. The U.S. Department of Labor immediately released $847,538 of the grant to assist workers dislocated by the layoffs. The total grant is for $2,010,277.

“This $2 million grant will provide these Idaho workers with skills training, career counseling and other employment services to help them find and succeed in new jobs,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

Two grants totaling more than $1.94 million went to benefit workers in Massachusetts and Missouri. The emergency grants helped provide a number of job resources to workers who are unemployed due to plant closings. In addition, the DOL has ruled that these workers are eligible for additional assistance under TAA, the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.

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  1. Posted by: Oregon Workers Receive $1.2 Million Grant - Labor Law Center Blog

    [...] On January 8, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a grant of $2.1 million to aid unemployed workers in Washington. [...]

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