Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) praised the U.S. Department of Labor and Secretary Hilda L. Solis for the decision to release more than $69.4 million in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Michigan.  This comes after the announcement that Michigan’s unemployment rate is now at 14.1 percent, continuing to be the highest level in the nation.

“I appreciate all the efforts Secretary Solis and the Obama Administration are making to re-train displaced workers and create jobs in Michigan.  Unfortunately, at this moment, job creation simply can not keep up with the layoffs and downsizing in our State,” Dingell said.  “This additional money will help the thousands of workers in Michigan who are still searching for employment.  Together we will continue to work to create new opportunities in Michigan.”

“Providing an economic safety net to workers who have entered the workforce recently and lost their jobs through no fault of their own is very important, especially in states like Michigan that have been hit particularly hard by the recession,” said Secretary Solis. “It is the right thing to do for workers and it’s good for the state’s economic recovery.”

Michigan qualified for the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by allowing workers to use their more recent earnings to qualify for benefits.  The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth can use the funds to pay unemployment benefits or, if appropriated by the legislature, for administering its unemployment insurance program or delivering employment services.

The Recovery Act made a total of $7 billion available in UI modernization incentive payments to states that include certain eligibility provisions in their UI programs.  Each state can qualify for a share of those funds by showing that its law includes those provisions. Michigan’s approved application will be posted at the department’s Employment and Training Administration website at http://www.doleta.gov/recovery.  

# # #