AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has approved a $15.9 million National Emergency Grant (NEG), with $7,950,000 released initially, to fund 600 temporary jobs in 29 Texas counties impacted by Hurricane Ike.
“Thanks to our federal partners, this funding for temporary jobs will be invaluable to the Texans devastated in the wake of Hurricane Ike,” said Gov. Perry. “Through the Texas Workforce Commission, these funds will help hard working Texans continue to support their families as they begin rebuilding their homes and lives.”
The NEG funds can be used to provide wages and benefits to eligible temporary job participants for the next six months in Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller and Washington counties.
“Hurricane Ike has devastated major areas in Southeast Texas,” said TWC Chairman Tom Pauken. “With this emergency funding, TWC will be able to provide temporary jobs to help speed the recovery of those areas of our state most impacted by Hurricane Ike. Through temporary jobs, employment assistance and disaster-related unemployment benefits, TWC stands ready to help.”
The project will create temporary employment to assist in clean-up and recovery efforts as a result of Hurricane Ike. Local workforce development board areas impacted by the hurricane and funded by TWC will coordinate with local and county governments to provide the temporary jobs.
Workers displaced by Hurricane Ike should visit their local workforce boards to apply for benefits. For a list of locations, visit http://www.texasworkforce.org
Additionally, to date, TWC has processed more than 34,400 claims for disaster-related unemployment insurance benefits for those workers whose employment, agricultural employment, or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to Hurricane Ike. In addition, TWC and its local workforce boards will assist workers displaced as a result of the disaster through mobile workforce centers, employer assistance and partnering with local organizations to provide housing, transportation and reintegration assistance.
For more information on the NEG program, please visit http://www.twc.state.tx.us or http://www.dol.gov.
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