|
 Printer-Friendly Version
ETA News Release: [08/18/2004]
Contact Name: Lorette
Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
U.S. Labor Department Announces Assistance for Military
Returning from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Locations
WASHINGTON—The U.S.
Labor Department today released guidance for states advising them that National
Emergency Grant (NEG) funds are available to provide employment assistance for
National Guard and Military Reserve personnel returning from deployment in
Iraq, Afghanistan or other locations.
“We want to ensure that Americans returning from active duty are
able to complete training they may have begun before their overseas
assignments,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “This
guidance letter will let state workforce agencies know how to access funds to
serve these men and women who have made a brave and selfless contribution to
our country’s security.”
According to the Training and Employment Guidance Letter, National
Emergency Grants will be available for unemployed trade-certified returning
military to begin training or continue a training program that was not
completed. Workers whose dislocation was not due to trade but whose training
was interrupted due to deployment are also eligible for NEG funds. A state may
request the NEG if Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) or Workforce Investment
Act (WIA) formula funds are insufficient.
State NEG applications for returning military may include a request for
income support, to which trade-certified workers are entitled while enrolled in
training. These funds can be used for returning military certified for TAA even
if the eligibility time period for income support has run out. Income support
may also be requested for returning military personnel dislocated for reasons
other than trade even if income support is not provided in a local area’s
dislocated worker program.
Spouses of returning members of the National Guard or Reserves and
widows of military personnel who lost their lives in Iraq, Afghanistan or other
locations may also be included in these special NEG applications.
The NEG guidance is part of a larger Labor Department commitment to ease
the transition of soldiers returning from active duty as they re-enter the
workforce. National Emergency Grants are part of the Secretary’s
discretionary funds and are awarded following a state request for
assistance.
# # #
_________________________________________________________________
| 
