Memphis Standard

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty have expressed their approval of a $793,000 supplemental award from the U.S. Department of Labor aimed at providing disaster unemployment assistance to Tennesseans affected by Hurricane Helene. The funding is intended to support individuals whose livelihoods were impacted by the hurricane.

Senator Blackburn commented on the situation, stating, "Communities across Upper East Tennessee were devastated by Hurricane Helene, and many individuals and families are still working to rebuild in the aftermath of this tragedy." She emphasized that the funding from the Trump administration would aid these communities in their recovery efforts.

Senator Hagerty also shared his observations: "The devastating damage that I saw in East Tennessee after Hurricane Helene was heartbreaking," he said. He noted that while rebuilding has just begun, covering areas such as family homes and public roads, he appreciates the resources provided by the Trump Administration to help restore communities.

The grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration will be managed by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. It aims to deliver benefit payments to eligible Disaster Unemployment Assistance claimants who lost jobs or had employment disrupted due to Hurricane Helene but do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits.

Following a major disaster declaration issued by FEMA on October 2, 2024, federal assistance was requested by Tennessee. Subsequently, an initial obligation of $938,400 was authorized later that month for disaster unemployment assistance related to Tropical Storm Helene.

The Disaster Unemployment Assistance program provides funds through state unemployment insurance agencies under agreements with the Secretary of Labor.