WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Department of Labor (DOL) will award $1,493,763 in federal funds to be used in Maine for in-person assessments of Unemployment Insurance (UI) beneficiaries. These assessments, which are conducted at American Job Centers across the state, help UI recipients develop an individual re-employment plan and provide for a complete review of their UI eligibility.

“These re-employment and eligibility assessments play a pivotal role in helping unemployed Mainers transition back into the workforce,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “The search for employment is often daunting and frustrating, and this funding will help people in Maine as they navigate the process.”

DOL announced the funding as part of a larger $68 million award that will be distributed nationally through the Re-employment and Eligibility Assessment (REA) initiative. A total of 44 states have now implemented re-employment and eligibility assessments. The assessments also provide UI recipients with valuable information, including local labor market insights and job skills.

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