A Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DR NDWG) is discretionary WIOA funding the U.S. Department of Labor awards after a major disaster declaration to create temporary disaster‑relief and cleanup jobs and provide employment and training services to people affected by the disaster. States (or other eligible project operators) run projects and use grant funds for temporary disaster‑relief employment, employment and training, supportive services, and related administrative costs; DOL issues program guidance (TEGL 09‑24) with eligibility, allowable costs, and reporting rules.
Participants in DR NDWGs are members of the disaster‑affected workforce — typically dislocated workers and people who became unemployed or had their employment affected by the disaster (for example, ‘laid off as a consequence of the disaster’ or long‑term unemployed). States/project operators adopt procedures to determine who is eligible; the TEGL lists categories and allows self‑attestation when documentation is unavailable.
Washington residents should get information and apply through the Washington State Department of Employment Security (the grant’s project operator) and local American Job Centers (WorkSource). The DOL release says the grant is administered through the Washington State Department of Employment Security — contact that agency or local WorkSource offices for job lists, eligibility screening, and application details.
The DOL release does not specify a spending period or expected number of jobs for this $1 million award. NDWGs typically include project start/end dates and funding increments in the grant Notice of Award; recipients must report planned start/end dates and may request additional increments. For exact availability and projected job counts, see the Washington State Department of Employment Security or the grant Notice of Award (not included in the release).
FEMA’s emergency declaration made areas eligible for federal disaster assistance and allowed Washington to request DR NDWG funds; under WIOA the Department of Labor funds Disaster Recovery NDWGs only for areas that are eligible for FEMA public‑assistance or otherwise recognized as impacted by a federal emergency or disaster. The DOL release says the FEMA emergency declaration enabled the application and award.
The DOL release says the grant covers “affected tribal communities” but does not name them. In practice tribal governments in declared counties can be included as worksites or partners; the state project operator (Washington State Department of Employment Security) and local tribal governments handle outreach and notifications. For the precise list and how tribes will be notified, contact Washington’s Employment Security (ESD) or the state grant project operator.
Yes. Under DOL NDWG policy (TEGL guidance), Disaster Recovery NDWG funds may pay participant wages for temporary disaster‑relief employment at least at the applicable minimum wage, provide fringe benefits (e.g., FICA, workers’ compensation), cover training and employment services, and pay allowable equipment, supplies, and supportive services required to enable participation — subject to the grant’s Notice of Award and program rules.