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ETA News Release: [10/07/2004]
Contact Name: Ed Frank or Lorette Post
Phone Number: 202-693-4676 or 693-3984

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces Additional $25 Million for Florida Hurricane Relief Efforts

STUART, Fla.—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a supplemental National Emergency Grant of $25 million to assist Florida in recovery efforts as a result of recent hurricane damage. Secretary Chao made the announcement with Florida Governor Jeb Bush. The grant will fund temporary clean-up and reconstruction jobs for 1,500 workers left jobless due to the storms.

“The President and I are concerned about the enormous damage caused in Florida by the recent hurricanes,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “Many people lost their homes, their jobs and their livelihoods. This is my second visit to Florida since August and I want to assure Floridians that this Administration is here with immediate assistance to help in every way we can. This grant, together with the $50 million grant approved on Aug. 18th, totals $75 million that's been made available to Florida to hire temporary workers to assist in recovery and rebuilding efforts.”

On August 18, the Department of Labor approved a National Emergency Grant of up to $50 million for Florida, with $16.5 million released initially. The grant was awarded after President Bush declared a major disaster in 25 counties throughout the state.

Awarded to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovations, the grants provide temporary jobs for workers to participate in projects that provide food, clothing, shelter and other humanitarian assistance for disaster victims. Funds will also be used to provide temporary workers for demolition, renovation and reconstruction of destroyed public structures, facilities, lands and on homes of economically disadvantaged individuals who are eligible for the federally funded weatherization program. Priority will be given to services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Information about these temporary job opportunities is available at local One Stop Centers located in counties where disaster declarations have been made.

Florida workers who have lost their source of income due to the hurricanes may also be able to receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits even if they would not normally be eligible for state unemployment compensation. To apply for this assistance, please call Florida's Agency for Workforce Innovations at 1-800-204-2418 or visit www.floridajobs.org.

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.

Alabama workers who have lost their source of income due to Hurricane Ivan may also be able to receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits even if they would not normally be eligible for state unemployment compensation. To apply for this assistance, please call: 1-866-234-5382 or visit: www.dir.alabama.gov.

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.