The Department of Labor on Jan. 31 announced that state grants of $15 million will be available to focus on improving state unemployment systems.
Coming from the American Rescue Plan Act, the funding aims to contain COVID, give direct relief to Americans and rescue the economy, according to the White House.
"This effort continued with the creation of the Office of UI Modernization to oversee the use of American Rescue Plan Act funding on Aug. 31, 2021," a Department of Labor press release states. "One month later, on Sept. 30, the department announced the award of $195.7 million in grant funding to detect and combat UI fraud."
According to the White House, the American Rescue Plan was created to deliver direct relief to Americans in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
The displacement of workers during the pandemic exposed many antiquated systems, as well as their vulnerabilities, the DOL release reports.
"The department will award up to $3 million in funding to each state selected," the DOL release states. "The UI Navigator Program will enable states to deliver timely benefits to all workers, with an emphasis on women; racial and ethnic minorities, including Blacks, Hispanics, American Indian and Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and Indigenous Persons; low-wage workers; individuals with disabilities; members of religious minorities; LGTBQI+ individuals; individuals with limited English proficiency; formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals living in rural areas."
The DOL said states may apply for grants up through March 31, 2022.
