US Department of Labor awards more than $189M to support workforce agencies’ efforts to help unemployed workers find good jobs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded more than $189 million to workforce agencies in 49 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia to operate their Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments programs. This award is a $40 million increase over the previous year. Funding will strengthen states’ unemployment insurance programs and provide customized workforce services to support individuals’ efforts to find employment through informed job searches.

RESEA is an evidence-based program to help individuals who are receiving unemployment benefits return to work more quickly by providing services such as individual assessments, reemployment services, referrals to job opportunities and recruiting events, and information about other available workforce programs, training opportunities and services. The program is critical to states’ broader workforce development strategies and is undergoing expansions to promote greater program equity and reach a larger share of individuals experiencing unemployment.

“Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments programs provide essential work search assistance to individuals in need while also getting people back to work faster in higher quality jobs,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Angela Hanks. “These funds will help states grow their RESEA programs to bring more services to more individuals in need and help states prepare and respond to current and future labor market changes.”

At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, many states modified RESEA programs to increase the use of virtual and remote technologies. A vast majority of states intend to broaden RESEA availability by combining online and in-person services. States and the department are currently studying RESEA programs, including innovations implemented in response to the pandemic, through an assortment of research and evaluation projects that will provide information on what reemployment services and strategies are most effective at supporting unemployed individuals quickly return to good jobs.

Learn more about RESEA and individualized reemployment services.  

Editor’s Note:  A listing of award recipients and amounts follows this release.