ETA News Release: [Wed., Oct. 20, 2004]
Contact Name: Ed Frank or Lorette Post
Phone Number: 202-693-4676 or 202-693-3984
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces Nearly
$1.7 Million Grant to Aid Dislocated Workers in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va.-U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a National Emergency Grant of nearly $1.7 million to assist dislocated workers in West Virginia. The grant will have an initial release of $566,535.
"The President and I want to ensure that dislocated workers get the training and assistance they need to prepare for new and better careers," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This grant for $1.7 million will help workers affected by trade and others laid off by Weirton Steel Corporation. Workers eligible for this assistance receive counseling, case management, supportive services, follow-up assistance and assessment, services not ordinarily available through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act (TAA). Workers who are not certified for TAA will receive training through the grant."
Awarded to the West Virginia Development Office, the grant will provide assistance to approximately 600 workers in Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler and Wetzel counties dislocated from the Weirton facility.
In addition to the services provided through this grant, trade-certified workers are eligible for up to 104 weeks of training and income support and other help, such as job search and relocation expenses under TAA. The government will also pay up to 65 percent of health insurance premiums for workers affected by trade. Also, if workers are over the age of 50 and qualify for the Alternative TAA program, the government will pay 50 percent of the wage differential, up to $10,000, if they get a new job that pays less than their old job.
National Emergency Grants are part of the Secretary's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines.
For more information on the Department of Labor's employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.
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