“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,” said Senator Blackburn. “This critical funding from the Trump administration will support these Tennesseans on their road to recovery.”

“The devastating damage that I saw in East Tennessee after Hurricane Helene was heartbreaking,” said Senator Hagerty. “The rebuilding process has just begun, from family homes to public roads. I thank the Trump Administration for equipping the Volunteer State with the necessary resources to restore communities and help families rebuild their lives after losing everything.”

BACKGROUND

• The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration awarded a grant to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development to enable them to deliver benefit payments to the state’s eligible Disaster Unemployment Assistance claimants.

• This funding allows the state to continue providing financial assistance to people who lost their jobs, or had their employment or self-employment interrupted, as a direct result of the disaster and who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits. 

• On October 2, 2024, the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the major disaster declaration enabling the state to request federal assistance. Later in October 2024, FEMA authorized an initial obligation of $938,400 to implement disaster unemployment assistance in response to Tropical Storm Helene. 

• The Disaster Unemployment Assistance program provides funds to state unemployment insurance agencies to pay benefits under agreements with the Secretary of Labor.  

Click here to read more about Senator Blackburn’s efforts to support Tennesseans impacted by Hurricane Helene.