Senate committee approved extension of disaster unemployment aid for U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs approved the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018, S. 3041, on June 13, 2018, advancing a provision that would extend disaster-related unemployment assistance for the U.S. Virgin Islands by 26 weeks.

According to Government House, the extension would bring total assistance to 52 weeks following the disaster declarations for Hurricanes Irma and Maria and would make about $8 million available to roughly 1,400 Virgin Islanders.

Government House said supporters of the bipartisan measure planned to seek its inclusion in a broader package for consideration on the Senate floor.

The bill also included amendments to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act that, according to Government House, would give the territory more flexibility in the use of disaster funding. Those provisions included allowing FEMA Public Assistance funding for upgrades to modern building codes, specifications and standards; allowing Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for resiliency measures; increasing reimbursement rates to state, territorial and local governments for administrative costs tied to disaster recovery; and allowing states and territories to administer FEMA funding for direct temporary and permanent housing construction after a disaster.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/u-s-senate-committee-passes-extension-of-disaster-unemployment-assistance/