Oct. 2, 2006 — Although the U.S. Labor Department announced Monday that the territory will get a $75,000 grant for its unemployment-compensation program, V.I. Labor Department Spokeswoman Janelle Gumbs called it old news.
"We got it months ago," she said, indicating the money went to enhance an existing system that prevents, detects and recovers improper benefits payments.
In a news release, U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced that the territory's grant was part of the disbursal of $9.6 million in grants to states and territories.
The grants are slated for a variety of projects similar to the V.I. Labor Department's. Those projects include the National Directory of New Hires, which helps block people from claiming benefits after they return to work, an automated system to detect and recover improper payments and a system to match claims data with other government databases to detect fraud.
Additionally, the grants will fund projects to promote quick reemployment through enhanced use of automated systems that assess beneficiaries' needs and connect them to reemployment services.
"With these grants, the Department of Labor continues to safeguard the integrity and improve the efficiency of state unemployment insurance systems so that workers who find themselves without work can access this resource when they need it most," said Emily Stover, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training, in the news release.
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