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Recovery Act funded programs or activities must comply with all nondiscrimination and equal opportunity statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders that apply to the distribution and use of federal funds. Consequently, Recovery Act funded programs or activities must be free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, and where applicable, sex, religion, age and family status. The federal agency that provides Recovery Act funding to state and local entities is responsible for ensuring compliance with the civil rights laws applicable to the federal agency’s grant program. If you know which federal agency is providing the Recovery Act funds, click here for a link to information about filing a discrimination complaint with that agency. If you are not sure which agency funds the program, you may file a discrimination complaint with the Coordination and Review Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. Click here
The recent federal economic stimulus legislation included a new, temporary supplemental unemployment benefit program entitled the “Federal Additional Compensation” Program (FAC). This new program provides a $25 weekly benefit supplement to unemployed Maine workers who are receiving unemployment benefits under one of the following programs:
(The federal supplemental benefit is not payable to individuals receiving Dislocated Worker Benefits (DWB) or Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA)).
FAC becomes effective for unemployment benefit claims filed for the week ending Saturday, 2/28/09.
Eligible individuals do not need to do anything to begin receiving these supplemental payments. If a person files a weekly claim under one of the programs listed above and is eligible to receive at least $1.00 in benefits for that week, the $25 FAC payment will automatically go out as supplemental check that is paid separately from weekly unemployment benefits.
The first FAC checks will be mailed out on Thursday, March 5, 2009. Afterwards, those entitled to the additional $25 payment will get a supplemental check usually within a day, possibly two, of receiving their weekly benefits. All of these payments will be issued as paper checks; we are not able to issue them as direct deposit at this time.
The FAC program is 100% federally funded.
This program remains in effect for unemployment benefit claims (benefit years) established prior to January 1, 2010. The last week payable under this program for any benefit year established before January 1, 2010, is for claims filed for the week ending July 3, 2010.
Using the transparency tool a www.maine.gov/recovery you can drill in to county level to see how the money is being invested in you community.
The purpose of the Recovery Act is to create and save jobs, jumpstart our economy, and build the foundation for long-term economic growth. The Act includes measures to modernize the nation's infrastructure, enhance America's energy independence, expand educational opportunities, increase access to health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
The text of the law can be found in Text or PDF format here.
The Recovery Act specifies appropriations for a wide range of Federal programs and will increase or extend certain benefits payable under the Medicaid, unemployment compensation, and nutrition assistance programs. The legislation also reduces individual and corporate income tax collections and makes a variety of other changes to tax laws. The package provides funds that will:
The new State of Maine Recovery Act Transparency website is located at www.maine.gov/recovery.
Copyright © 2009 All rights reserved. Photo credits.
