Fenty Introduces Legislation to Provide New Benefits and Job Training for Unemployed
Proposal will offer financial assistance to those who enter training programs for high demand jobs, add additional weeks of unemployment for those about to lose benefits
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty introduced emergency legislation to increase unemployment benefits and to provide new job training opportunities for unemployed District residents. The new benefits will be funded by the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund.
The legislation will add up to 20 additional weeks of unemployment benefits for those who are about to exhaust their maximum number of weeks. The District's current unemployment rate is 10.9 percent and despite the extra weeks of federal Extended Benefits, thousands of unemployed in the District will begin to run out of unemployment eligibility at the end of August without this action. By filing this as emergency legislation, Mayor Fenty's proposal will prevent lapses in payments to these unemployed.
"While our economy is struggling, we are putting plans into action that will help District residents suffering during this economic downturn," Fenty said. "By increasing the amount of benefits as well as the length of time our claimants are receiving benefits, we are helping to alleviate some of the burden felt by many households and allow District workers currently receiving unemployment benefits an opportunity to sharpen their skills, learn a new trade, or go back to school, through Pell Grants, as they prepare to reenter the job market.
"In addition, the Administration is proposing a temporary year and a half addition of a dependency allowance of $15 per week per child, not to exceed $50, in order to help families who are struggling to make ends meet as they search for work in this difficult economy. The Administration's plan also focuses on new job training opportunities to help workers prepare for their next job, including allowing up to 26 weeks of job training for claimants who have exhausted their regular UI benefits and enroll in education or training programs for high demand occupations. Mayor Fenty will also send information to all unemployed residents about new uses of the Pell Grant to help those who are out of work go back to school.
"There are two very important parts of this reform effort: additional benefits for those who are searching for work in this tough economic time, and education and training opportunities for those who are unemployed," said Joseph Walsh, director of the D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES). "We want to help those who are struggling right now and provide opportunities for all to get the training and education they need to find a job more quickly and earn higher wages."
While the top high demand job sectors require at least some college or advanced training, under the new training benefit, unemployment claimants will receive the option of training in high demand occupations or growth industries through DOES.
For more Congress Heights and River East news visit The Congress Heights Examiner website, http://www.examiner.com/x-13507-Congress-Heights-Community-Examiner
Share on Facebook
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty introduced emergency legislation to increase unemployment benefits and to provide new job training opportunities for unemployed District residents. The new benefits will be funded by the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund.
The legislation will add up to 20 additional weeks of unemployment benefits for those who are about to exhaust their maximum number of weeks. The District's current unemployment rate is 10.9 percent and despite the extra weeks of federal Extended Benefits, thousands of unemployed in the District will begin to run out of unemployment eligibility at the end of August without this action. By filing this as emergency legislation, Mayor Fenty's proposal will prevent lapses in payments to these unemployed.
"While our economy is struggling, we are putting plans into action that will help District residents suffering during this economic downturn," Fenty said. "By increasing the amount of benefits as well as the length of time our claimants are receiving benefits, we are helping to alleviate some of the burden felt by many households and allow District workers currently receiving unemployment benefits an opportunity to sharpen their skills, learn a new trade, or go back to school, through Pell Grants, as they prepare to reenter the job market.
"In addition, the Administration is proposing a temporary year and a half addition of a dependency allowance of $15 per week per child, not to exceed $50, in order to help families who are struggling to make ends meet as they search for work in this difficult economy. The Administration's plan also focuses on new job training opportunities to help workers prepare for their next job, including allowing up to 26 weeks of job training for claimants who have exhausted their regular UI benefits and enroll in education or training programs for high demand occupations. Mayor Fenty will also send information to all unemployed residents about new uses of the Pell Grant to help those who are out of work go back to school.
"There are two very important parts of this reform effort: additional benefits for those who are searching for work in this tough economic time, and education and training opportunities for those who are unemployed," said Joseph Walsh, director of the D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES). "We want to help those who are struggling right now and provide opportunities for all to get the training and education they need to find a job more quickly and earn higher wages."
While the top high demand job sectors require at least some college or advanced training, under the new training benefit, unemployment claimants will receive the option of training in high demand occupations or growth industries through DOES.
For more Congress Heights and River East news visit The Congress Heights Examiner website, http://www.examiner.com/x-13507-Congress-Heights-Community-Examiner
Share on Facebook