New Mexico awarded $2.25 million Unemployment Insurance Equity Grant
For Immediate Release
April 5, 2022
Contact: Stacy Johnston
Communications & Marketing Director
505.250.3926
New Mexico awarded $2.25 million Unemployment Insurance Equity Grant
(Albuquerque, NM) – The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) has awarded an equity grant of $2.25 million to New Mexico to support greater public awareness and improve delivery of unemployment insurance services though the state Unemployment Insurance (UI) system.
“The American Rescue Plan has helped combat the COVID-19 pandemic, reopen our schools and businesses, and get New Mexicans back on their feet,” said U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján. “I’m glad that this funding will go toward making the state’s unemployment compensation program more equitable and accessible for all New Mexico workers as we continue to recover and rebuild.”
The funds will support the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) UI Division through increased staffing that will work to eliminate administrative barriers to benefit application through improved claimant communications, a planned strategy to reduce state workload backlogs, and a business process analysis focused on the identification of equity barriers.
“The past two years has provided us with valuable insights about how the UI system can be strengthened and equitably accessed by all New Mexicans in need of transitional assistance," said NMDWS Acting Secretary Ricky Serna. "This grant will be instrumental to incorporating changes for current process improvement and for preparation of future recessions."
In August, President Joe Biden and USDOL Secretary Martin J. Walsh announced the availability of $260 million in grant funding for promoting equitable access to unemployment compensation programs, New Mexico was awarded in the second round of recipients to receive funding.
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the grant provides equitable access and support toward economy recovery for Americans hit hardest by the effects of the global pandemic. Additional states awarded funding include Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, District of Columbia, Alabama, Idaho, and Missouri.
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