Further extension of equitable access grant application deadline

CLASSIFICATION
   EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION                   Unemployment Insurance
               ADVISORY SYSTEM                              CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL
          U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR                          OUI/DPM
             Washington, D.C. 20210                         DATE
                                                            December 20, 2021


ADVISORY:        UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 23-21,
                 Change 2

TO:              STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES

FROM:            ANGELA HANKS
                 Acting Assistant Secretary

SUBJECT:        Further Extension of Time to Submit Request for Funding under Grant
                Opportunity Announced in Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL)
                No. 23-21

1. Purpose. To advise states that the deadline for submitting a grant application to assist states
   in promoting equitable access to unemployment compensation (UC) programs is further
   extended to December 31, 2021.

2. Action Requested. The U.S. Department of Labor’s (Department) Employment and
   Training Administration (ETA) requests that State Workforce Agency Administrators
   provide information contained in this UIPL to appropriate staff.

3. Summary and Background.


       a. Summary – On August 17, 2021, the Department issued UIPL No. 23-21 advising
          states of the availability of funding for activities that promote equitable access to UC
          programs. In that UIPL, states were advised that grant applications should be
          submitted no later than October 18, 2021. The Department determined that states
          needed additional time to submit such applications, and extended the deadline to
          November 30, 2021, in UIPL No. 23-21, Change 1, issued on November 1, 2021. In
          response to state requests for more time, the deadline for submitting these grant
          applications is being further extended to December 31, 2021.

       b. Background – On March 11, 2021, the President signed the American Rescue Plan
          Act of 2021 (ARPA) into law (Public Law (Pub. L.) 117-2). Section 9032, ARPA,
          creates a new Section 2118 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
          (CARES) Act (Pub. L. 116-136) and provides a $2,000,000,000 appropriation to the
          Secretary of Labor to detect and prevent fraud, to promote equitable access, and to
          ensure timely payment of benefits to eligible workers with respect to UC programs.
          See section 4.b. of UIPL No. 23-21 for information on allowable uses for such funds
          to promote equitable access to UC programs.

   RESCISSIONS                                               EXPIRATION DATE
   None                                                      Continuing

4. Guidance. Section 6.a. of UIPL No. 23-21 sets out the required actions that states must
   complete in applying for a grant under this offering. Section 2 of UIPL No. 23-21 provides
   that the deadline for submission of applications is October 18, 2021. The Department
   determined that states needed additional time to review UIPL No. 23-21 and to develop an
   application in response to the solicitation. Therefore, the Department extended the deadline
   for submission of the grant applications to November 30, 2021. In response to state requests
   for more time, the deadline for submitting these grant applications is being further extended
   to December 31, 2021. All other guidance and information in UIPL No. 23-21 remains the
   same.

   ETA encourages states to submit applications as early as possible. Also, we encourage states
   to reach out if any technical assistance is needed on developing or completing the grant
   application or if a state would like to discuss this grant opportunity in more detail. We are
   also confirming that states will have the opportunity to make revisions to their applications
   after submission should the ETA review teams determine additional information or
   documentation is required.

5. Inquiries. Please direct inquiries to [email protected], with a copy to the appropriate
   ETA Regional Office.

6. References.

      American Rescue Plan Act, Pub L. 117-2, enacted March 11, 2021;
      CARES Act, Pub. L. 116-136, enacted March 23, 2020;
      UIPL No. 23-21, Grant Opportunity for Promoting Equitable Access to Unemployment
       Compensation (UC) Programs, issued August 17, 2021,
       https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=7400; and
      UIPL No. 23-21, Change 1, Extension of Time to Submit Request for Funding under
       Grant Opportunity Announced in Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) No.
       23-21, issued November 1, 2021,
       https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=4662.

7. Attachment(s). None.