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ETA News Release: [09/06/2005]
Contact Name: David James or Stephanie Cathcart
Phone Number: 202-693-4676
Release Number: 05-1679-NAT

U.S. Labor Department Announces $75 Million National Emergency Grant to Assist Over 37, 500 Louisiana And Mississippi Evacuees Displaced by Hurricane Katrina

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a National Emergency Grant of up to $75 million to provide assistance to approximately 37,500 individuals who have been evacuated to the state of Texas as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Approximately $23.5 million in grant funds will be released immediately.

“Texas has opened its heart to thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina and it's essential that funds reach the state quickly to help evacuees without homes and jobs,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “This $75 million grant will help 37,500 dislocated Louisianans by giving them jobs that will help clean up damaged communities and deliver humanitarian assistance, and provide job training to those who need assistance finding work.”

The Labor Department grant, given to the Texas Workforce Commission, will hire workers in temporary jobs providing food, clothing, shelter and humanitarian assistance for victims. The grant will also be used to make needs-related payments to individuals not qualified for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) or Unemployment Insurance (UI), or for those who have exhausted those benefits. These funds may also be used to continue state and local efforts to disseminate information on how to access DUA and UI; establish temporary transition centers in or near the greatest concentration of evacuees; provide crisis and financial counseling, and provide training to evacuees that may settle in Texas.

“We are working closely with the state to reach out to evacuees so they can access benefits and jobs as soon as possible,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “Teams have already been deployed to evacuee centers, and I want to commend the state workforce agency for responding to this emergency so quickly.”

On Sept. 2, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared all 254 counties in Texas eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance program, and all are covered for assistance under this grant.

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 disaster relief efforts please visit www.dol.gov. Dislocated workers from the affected areas seeking assistance with DUA or UI can contact 1-866-4-USA-DOL to speak with U.S. Labor Department personnel.