Department of Labor releases $57 million to the Oregon Employment Department

Oregon has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country at 12.2 percent. Currently more than 240,000 Oregonians are unemployed with more than 172,000 receiving unemployment insurance benefits.

Salem-News.com

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - The U.S. Department of Labor announced today it has certified the release of more than $57 million in unemployment insurance modernization funds to Oregon.

Oregon qualified for the funds, which are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, with the passage of key legislation in the 2009 session.

“This assistance from the Department of Labor comes at a good time for the people of Oregon,” Governor Ted Kulongoski said. “By working with the Legislature and the Oregon Employment Department to get this important legislation passed, thousands of Oregonians will now receive the help they need to get them through this difficult economic time.”

The passage of HB2203 allows workers who had to leave jobs for family-related reasons to qualify for unemployment benefits. In addition, the bill makes extra weeks of benefits available to claimants who are retraining for new jobs.

“Oregon previously received part of its share of UI modernization funds for helping unemployed workers with recent work experience get the assistance they deserve. I am pleased to announce that Oregon has made additional updates to its UI program to better meet the needs of the 21st century workforce and their families,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The additional UI modernization provisions adopted by Oregon will help unemployed workers who had to leave their jobs for compelling family reasons, or who need training to become reemployed."

Oregon has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country at 12.2 percent. Currently more than 240,000 Oregonians are unemployed with more than 172,000 receiving unemployment insurance benefits.

Source: WorkSource Oregon Employment Department