Labor Department Responds to Disaster Relief Effort

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Anthrax Concerns Unemployed Veterans, National Guard, & Reservists World Trade Center Relief Workers Pension Plans & Health Care Coverage Federal Employees General Information

The U.S. Department of Labor has resources to assist the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, those involved in the recovery effort in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and ongoing concerns related to America's war on terrorism.

Anthrax Concerns

Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao issued a news release on November 15, 2001 announcing an Anthrax Matrix model to assist employers and employees in dealing with possible workplace exposures to anthrax in mail handling operations. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao previously issued a news release on October 19, 2001 containing recommendations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that will reduce the risk of anthrax exposure when handling mail. The guidelines are part of an effort to ensure that the American people know that workplaces will remain safe. Chao advised workers to exercise good judgment and caution when handling mail and take the following precautionary measures as outlined by OSHA:

• Be on the lookout for suspicious letters and packages, including packages or envelopes of unusual weight or size, packages or envelopes with a handwritten address and/or no return address and packages or envelopes with excessive postage.
• Open packages/envelopes with a minimum amount of movement and always use a letter opener or method that is least likely to disturb the contents.
• Do not blow into envelopes.
• Do not shake or pour out the contents.
• Keep hands away from nose and mouth when opening mail.
• Always wash hands after handling mail.

For more information please go to OSHA's Facts About Anthrax, which includes information on anthrax and emergency operations planning and bioterrorism from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Additional information is available at the Employment Standards Administration Web page on worker's compensation policy regarding anthrax for federal civilian employees, or Senator Bill Frist's Web page on Anthrax and Bioterrorism.

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Unemployed

The Unemployment Insurance (UI) system is a federal-state partnership that is designed to provide temporary income to laid off workers in order to alleviate personal hardship.  Unemployed workers are entitled to benefits if they meet state qualifying and eligibility requirements.

A fact sheet on unemployment insurance is available from the Department of Labor.  Additional information is available from the states:

Connecticut
New Jersey
New York
District of Columbia
Maryland
Virginia
Minnesota

Secretary Elaine L. Chao issued a news release on October 30 announcing an $8 million National Emergency Grant for the state of Minnesota that will serve approximately 2,500 laid-off airline and related industry workers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

In areas of New York where the President has declared a federal disaster, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of the major disaster.  Information on DUA is also available from the state of New York.

Through One-Stop Career Centers, all citizens can access services tailored to their individual needs.  This includes employment and job training services, career planning and guidance and much more.

Find the One-Stop Career Center in:

New York
Connecticut
New Jersey
District of Columbia
Maryland
Virginia
Minnesota

The Department of Labor's toll-free Call Center can assist workers and employers with questions about Job Loss, Layoffs, Business Closures, Unemployment Benefits and Job Training: 1-877-US-2JOBS (TTY: 1-877-889-5627)

Additional information on topics relevant to the unemployed can be found on the Department of Labor's Web interface, Find It! By Audience — Jobseekers/Unemployed.

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Veterans, National Guard & Reservists

The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) has information for veterans, National Guard or reservists who may be activated for military service. National Guard and Reserve members called to active duty, and their civilian employers, have certain rights and responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). This Act is administered and enforced by the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS). VETS has developed a fact sheet and an interactive computer program, the USERRA Advisor, which address the rights and responsibilities of individuals and their employers, under the law. If after reviewing this information you still have questions, please contact your local VETS office.

The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has information for reservists being called to active duty related to their pension and health benefits.

The Department of Labor's toll-free Call Center can assist workers and employers with questions about Reemployment Rights for Veterans, National Guard or Reservists: 1-866-4-USA-DOL (TTY: 1-877-889-5627).

Additional information on topics relevant to veterans can be found on the Department of Labor's Web interface, Find It! By Audience — Veterans.

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World Trade Center Relief Workers

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is working to ensure that the World Trade Center site stays safe for those involved in the recovery effort and those who still work or live in the area. OSHA is pitching in to assist with worker safety measures and is working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on asbestos tests and air quality monitoring.

The Department of Labor's toll-free Call Center can assist workers and employers with questions about Workplace Safety and Health: 1-866-4-USA-DOL (TTY: 1-877-889-5627).

Additional information on topics relevant to worker safety and health can be found on the Department of Labor's Web interface, Find It! By Audience — Workers/Workplace Safety & Health.

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Pension Plans & Health Care Coverage

The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has provided filing extensions for plan administrators, employers, and other entities affected by the disaster and general guidance on ERISA compliance regarding employee benefit plans impacted by the terrorist attack. PWBA has specific questions and answers related to the events of September 11 and general questions and answers regarding pension and health care coverage for dislocated workers is also available.

Workers and employers/plan sponsors who have questions about their pension or health benefits or plans may contact the closest PWBA Regional Office by telephone or mail, or submit their questions electronically.

Additional information on topics relevant to pension plans and health care coverage can be found on the Department of Labor's Web interfaces, Find It! By Topic — Retirement Plans, Benefits & Savings or Find It! By Topic — Health Plans & Benefits.

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Federal Employees

Federal civilian employees who were injured while on duty from the World Trade Center /Pentagon attacks or subsequent rescue operations are covered by the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. Surviving spouses of federal employees and dependent children are also entitled to benefits, as are rescue workers who have been deputized by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). If you have questions about claims relating to the September 11 tragedies, see the Employment Standards Administration’s Office of Workers' Compensation Programs Emergency Response page or call (202) 693-0040 for assistance. Information is also available on the worker's compensation policy regarding anthrax for federal civilian employees.

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General Information

Dislocated Worker Assistance is designed to prevent layoffs when possible, respond rapidly when layoffs are announced, and deliver services to meet the needs of the individual.  Rapid Response teams can provide immediate services directly to affected workers at the company site.  National Emergency Grants provide disaster relief employment to the governor of any state that has suffered an emergency or a major disaster.

The offices of Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) who were located in the World Trade Center complex (WTC #6) have been relocated. Both offices are now located at 201 Varick St., New York City, New York 10014. Their phone numbers are as follows:
1. Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration — (212) 337-2228
2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration — (212) 337-2636

The Department of Labor's toll-free Call Center can assist workers and employers with questions about job loss, business closures, pay and leave, workplace injuries, safety and health, pension and health benefits, and reemployment rights for reservists.

Toll-Free Numbers to Call For Questions Regarding:

The U.S. Government has developed DisasterHelp.gov to help citizens prevent and respond to disasters of all types.

The American Liberty Partnership is collecting donations for relief organizations and special funds, working in coordination with federal, state and local officials.

President Bush asks American children to help Afghan children by contributing to the White House Afghan Children's Fund.