Southeast Iowa - Iowa Workforce Development Receives $3 Million in Federal Contingency Funds

Date:
4/10/2009
Contact:
Kerry Koonce
 

For Immediate Release: April 10, 2009
Contact: Kerry Koonce: (515) 281-9646

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Iowa Workforce Development Receives $3 Million in Federal Contingency Funds to Meet the Growing Needs of Unemployed Iowans
Benefits Southeastern Iowa Offices in Burlington, Keokuk & Oskaloosa

DES MOINES – The US Department of Labor has awarded Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) $3 million in federal unemployment insurance contingency funds to support the department’s efforts to assist unemployed Iowans. The additional funds will be used to hire 53 new staff positions to support the filing and processing of unemployment claims statewide. 28 positions will be added in IWD field office system and an additional 25 will be used to augment that staff at the department’s Unemployment Insurance Service Center (UISC) where unemployment claims are processed in Des Moines.

“The infusion of federal funds will allow the department to assist Iowans in an expedited fashion and assist with reducing wait times,” indicated Iowa Workforce Development Director, Elisabeth Buck. “Iowans will feel the benefit of the federal funds throughout the unemployment system.”

The IWD offices in Burlington, Keokuk and Oskaloosa will all increase the size of their staff to assist Iowans in need. This increase will move the Oskaloosa office from a one to a two person office, providing a better system for serving customers.

The $3 million in federal contingency funds is separate from the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which has also provided millions of dollars to the state to infuse economic recovery efforts throughout the state.

Unemployment insurance benefits provide an economic safety net to unemployed Iowans and their community. Over $272 million dollars in benefits were paid out to Iowans during the first quarter of 2009.

Individuals interested in applying for the newly created positions must complete the State’s formal application. Available positions and the application process can be viewed at www.das.iowa.gov.


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