U.S. Labor Department announces release of $29.3 million in unemployment insurance...

U.S. Labor Department announces release of $29.3 million in unemployment
insurance modernization incentive funds to Connecticut

WASHINGTON, April 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Labor
today certified for release $29,270,446 in unemployment insurance (UI)
modernization incentive funds to the state of Connecticut. Connecticut
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. Connecticut's approved application will be posted at
the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site at
http://www.doleta.gov/recovery.

"By helping workers who have entered the workforce recently, Connecticut's UI
program better meets the needs of the 21st century labor force," said
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Especially now, when jobs are harder to
find, it is essential that those out of work through no fault of their own
receive the benefits they deserve."

The Connecticut Department of Labor can use the funds to pay unemployment
benefits or, if appropriated by the legislature, for administering its
unemployment insurance program or delivering employment services.

"Unemployment insurance serves as a lifeline to the residents in our state who
have lost their jobs as a result of the current national economic downturn,"
said Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell. "Connecticut's commitment to help these
families is unwavering and comprehensive, and the stimulus funding is an
important part of our overall network of support programs."

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. To date, Connecticut, New
Jersey and South Dakota each have been certified by the Labor Department to
receive a share of the funds.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Labor

Suzy Bohnert, +1-202-693-4665, or Peggy Abrahamson, +1-202-693-7909, both of
the U.S. Department of Labor