Contact: Jessica Smith (Webb) 202-228-5185
Monday, May 18, 2009 Kevin Hall (Warner) 202-224-2425
US Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner today announced that the US Department of Labor (DoL) will release $62.8 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in unemployment insurance funds to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The funding is a one-third incentive payment reflecting Virginia’s adoption of DoL-approved parameters for determining an applicant’s average base wages. The Virginia Employment Commission can use these incentive funds to pay unemployment benefits or, if appropriated by the legislature, for administering its unemployment insurance program or delivering employment services.
However, the $62.8 million is only a portion of the available assistance from the Department of Labor to assist Virginians laid off during the economic downturn. In April, the Virginia House of Delegates rejected more than $125 million in additional funding for Virginia that is available through the AARA.
“While I’m pleased with today’s action, I find it regrettable that Virginia families will not receive the additional assistance available through the American Recovery Act,” said Webb. “At a time of soaring unemployment and budget shortfalls, this investment will provide needed resources to help the most vulnerable get back on their feet.”
“These funds will help unemployed Virginians during tough economic times, especially those who are relatively new to the workforce who have lost their jobs,” Senator Warner said. “These funds will help many displaced workers as we continue to work to get this economy back on track."
In April, the Virginia Employment Commission reported nearly 289,000 unemployed individuals in Virginia, a rate of 7%, up from 3.6% one year ago. The economic downturn is felt more strongly in certain parts of the Commonwealth; Martinsville city recorded a jobless rate of 20.8%.
