The purpose of these grant funds is to allow community-based organizations to help workers apply for, and if eligible, receive UI benefits and related services and benefits

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration awarded an $8.4 million cooperative agreement to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions to provide outreach, training, and service delivery assistance to help workers apply for and, if eligible, receive unemployment insurance benefits and related services through the Unemployment Insurance program (CFDA 17.225). Through June 2025, subrecipient community-based organizations will deliver products and services including outreach, training, and one-on-one support to help workers navigate the application process for unemployment compensation benefits. The funding aims to increase access to these benefits, particularly in underserved communities, and support reattachment to the workforce. Results will inform future grant opportunities to further expand access to unemployment insurance programs.

Activities performed outreach, training, and service delivery to help workers apply for and, if eligible, receive UI benefits and related services and benefits. Deliverables the expected outcomes are to increase access to benefits, particularly in underserved communities, subsequent work attachment, and overall community familiarity and comfort with unemployment compensation. The results of these pilot grants will determine future grant opportunities. Intended beneficiary state workforce agencies, which will benefit from the identification of trends and access issues to be addressed, and workers, who have historically encountered barriers to access, including, but not limited to, individuals who lack access due to their race or ethnicity, low wage workers, or individuals with limited english language proficiency. Subrecipient activities outreach, training, and service delivery to workers to help them apply for and, if eligible, receive UI benefits and related services and benefits.