U.S. Department of Labor announces $1.2 million grant to provide nearly 700 North Carolina workers with health insurance payments as part of Trade Adjustment Assistanc...( WASHINGTON Oct. 8 -- The U.S. De...),Health

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,250,000 grant to provide approximately 700 jobless workers with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage.

"This $1.2 million grant will help nearly 700 North Carolinians who are looking for work and are participating in the Trade Adjustment Assistance program afford health insurance for themselves and their families," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

The grant, awarded to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, will be used to make "gap filler" payments for unemployed individuals who are receiving Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits eligible for the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) program. Under the program, eligible individuals and their family members can receive 65 percent of premium costs for qualified health insurance programs.

These payments cover the gap period, that is, the month(s) to complete Internal Revenue Service enrollment, processing and first payments under the HCTC program. The state of North Carolina will provide two to three months of "gap filler" payments for the participants.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG.