Summary of Workforce Provisions of The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

(Enacted on March 27, 2020)

On March 27th the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act intends to address the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdown in much of the nation’s economic activity. While the CARES Act greatly expands unemployment insurance, it also includes some provisions for workforce programs. Those provisions are summarized here.

Workforce

The Act provides $345 million in additional funding to the US Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration:

• Funds are provided to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestically or internationally, for necessary expenses for the dislocated workers assistance national reserve.
•  Funds may be used to replace grant funds previously obligated to the impacted areas.