Fiscal Year 2026 Funding Allotments and Operating Guidance for Unemployment Insurance Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments Grants
🏛 Employment and Training Administration (DOL-ETA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 29, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) in U.S. states and territories that administer unemployment insurance and reemployment services programs.
Eligible applicants include state workforce agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. States must have established UI agencies and participate in the federal-state unemployment insurance system.
The program funds reemployment services, eligibility assessments, and evidence-based interventions for unemployment insurance claimants. States design local service delivery through workforce development boards and partner organizations.
Funding is allocated through a formula-based approach with base grants, outcome payments, and evaluation set-asides. States do not need to provide cost-sharing or matching funds.
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Program description
This UIPL provides general operating guidance for the RESEA program for FY 2026: (a) definitions for RESEA-specific terms; (b) funding details, including the base-funding formula for state grants, outcome payments, and evaluation set-aside costs; (c) program design requirements; (d) program operations, including the involvement of UI agency staff and performance reporting requirements; (e) evidence-based interventions and evaluation requirements; and (f) the RESEA State Plan submission process. Questions regarding this Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) may be emailed to Rahel Bizuayene (bizuayene.rahel@dol.gov).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- RESEA State Plan
- Budget and budget narrative
- Evaluation plan with outcome measures
- UI agency coordination agreements
- Performance reporting templates
- Evidence-based intervention descriptions
Program contact
- 👤 Employment and Training Administration
- 📧 Bizuayene.Rahel@dol.gov
- 📞 202-693-2606
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 17.225 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,030,386,094
-
$674,229,080
-
$446,782,232
-
$412,618,934
-
$388,131,117
-
$382,430,402
-
$366,144,556
-
$364,387,662
-
$336,483,160
-
$324,473,452
Top States by Funding
- CA 6 awards $2,622.1M
- NY 7 awards $1,679.7M
- TX 7 awards $1,273.3M
- MI 7 awards $1,084.9M
- GU 1 awards $1,030.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for RESEA grants?
Only State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) in the 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Individual organizations and nonprofits cannot apply directly.
How much funding will my state receive?
Awards range from about $498,400 to $84.6 million depending on state unemployment rates, population, and performance. Funds are allocated by formula, not competitive scoring.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. This is a fully-funded federal grant program with no state matching requirement.
What activities does RESEA funding support?
Reemployment services, eligibility assessments for UI claimants, evidence-based interventions, staff training, and outcome evaluation.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is fixed at August 28, 2026. Check with your state workforce agency for submission dates and requirements.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Coordinate with your state UI agency early. RESEA involves close UI and workforce system coordination for data sharing and claimant referrals.
- Focus your State Plan on evidence-based interventions. The grant emphasizes rigorous evaluation and outcome measurement.
- Document local partnerships with community organizations. RESEA funds often flow to local workforce boards and service providers.
- Plan evaluation activities upfront. The grant includes set-aside funding for impact evaluations and performance reporting.
- Review the UIPL carefully for state plan requirements. The operating guidance covers specific design, reporting, and compliance mandates.
⚠️ Common mistakes
States neglect UI-workforce system coordination and miss claimant data sharing requirements. Plans lack rigorous evaluation designs or performance metrics beyond basic reporting. States underestimate compliance and documentation burdens for outcome tracking and reporting.
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