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Iowa Workforce Development Flood 2008
Disaster Recovery Information Resources

Flood Cleanup in Cedar Rapids

Emergency Public Jobs National Emergency Grant Waiver
This notice is provided to interested parties that a request is being made to the Department of Labor to approve the following waivers to service delivery of the dislocated worker program for the Emergency Public Jobs National Emergency Grant in Iowa. Due to the impact of the flooding that has occurred across the State of Iowa we are requesting flexibility to design and deliver workforce services that allow the Workforce Investment Act to respond to those affected by the disaster.

This information will remain on the web site for a 30-day public comment period beginning August 27, 2008. Written comments may be submitted to: Division Administrator, Iowa Workforce Development, Workforce Investment Act, 150 Des Moines St, Des Moines, IA 50309.

Project Recovery Iowa
Project Recovery Iowa is a disaster mental health program that provides counseling to those affected by this year’s natural disasters.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Filing Deadline Extended for Second Time - Provides Farmers Additional Time to Assess Crop Situation

Iowa Workforce Development Extends Unemployment
Insurance Reporting Deadline

IWD Announces Emergency Unemployment Insurance
Benefits for Displaced Iowans

Rebuild Iowa Office Urges Employers To Learn
and Obey Iowa's Labor Laws

Governor Culver Announces Filing Deadline For
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Extended

Governor Culver Announces National Emergency Public
Jobs Program Hits Milestone: Over 100 Worksites Identified

Unemployment Insurance Information:

• Disaster Unemployment Insurance Assistance (DUA)
• Map Of Iowa Counties Eligible For Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
• File an Unemployment Insurance Claim
• News Release 08/28/2008: Howard, Humboldt, Jackson, and Poweshiek Counties Eligible to Apply for Disaster Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Farmers Encouraged to Seek Benefits
• News Release 08/13/2008: Adair, Audubon, Cass, Grundy, Guthrie, Henry, and Winnebago Counties Eligible to Apply for Disaster Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Farmers Encouraged to Seek Benefits
• News Release 08/08/2008: Appanoose, Clarke, Monroe, and Ringgold Counties Eligible to Apply for Disaster Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Farmers Encouraged to Seek Benefits
• News Release 07/21/2008: Montgomery County Eligible to Apply for Disaster Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Farmers Encouraged to Seek Benefits
• News Release 07/10/2008: Eight Additional Counties Eligible to Apply for Disaster Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Farmers Encouraged to Seek Benefits
• News Release 07/01/2008: Six Additional Counties Eligible to Apply for Disaster Unemployment Insurance Benefits
• News Release 06/24/2008: Six Additional Counties Eligible to Apply for Disaster Unemployment Insurance Benefits
• News Release 6/20/2008: Eighteen Additional Counties Eligible to Apply for Disaster Unemployment Insurance Benefits
• News Release 06/17/2008: Twenty-one Additional Counties Eligible to Apply For Disaster Unemployment Insurance Benefits
• News Release 06/06/2008: Black Hawk & Buchanan Counties Eligible To Apply For Disaster Unemployment Insurance Benefits
• News Release 05/30/2008: Butler County Eligible to Apply for Disaster Unemployment Insurance Benefits

National Emergency Grant:

Iowa has received a National Emergency Grant for $17.1 million dollars designed to put Iowans who have lost their job due to the tornadoes or floods back to work. Workforce Investment Act staff will be handling the overall coordination of the program. Map of Iowa Counties Eligible For National Emergency Grant.

Program Requirements:

• Applies to Iowans unemployed because of the tornadoes or floods

• Individuals may work for 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months)

• Wages will be paid at the prevailing wage for the worksite.

• Individuals will be provided with necessary tools to complete the work, safety training and will be required to complete a physical.

Contact your local Workforce Investment Act Provider for more information!

News Release 06/20/2008: Iowa Workforce Development Partners to Provide Disaster Employment Services, Heartland AEA Provides On-Site Mobile Unit

Contractors:

The State of Iowa requires that “construction contractors” register with the Iowa Division of Labor, and renew that registration every two years. The law is found in Chapter 91C of the Iowa Code. All contractors performing “construction” work must be registered. Even if construction work is only incidental to your business, you still must be registered so long as you make at least $2,000 a year from the “construction” activities. For example, employee leasing agencies that send employees to work construction and retail operations that install or hire subcontractors to install the goods they sell need to register.  The definition of “construction” is very broad and includes carpentry, electrical, plumbing, roofing, house painting, landscape and lawn sprinkler installation, cable television installation, elevator and boiler installation, window and door installation, and many other types of work. Visit Iowa’s Contractor Law – Registration and Bonding for complete information. Iowa Workforce Development also maintains a Searchable Database of Registered Contractors.

EMERGENCY RULE CHANGES FOR ASBESTOS ABATEMENT IN DISASTER AREAS

 

Iowa's Labor Commissioner, Dave Neil, has signed emergency rule changes designed to help people recover from recent floods and tornadoes more quickly.  "Business as usual isn't appropriate in these extraordinary circumstances.  For that reason, I have made some changes designed to allow quicker disaster recovery while still protecting workers and the public from hazardous conditions, and protecting the public from unscrupulous contractors."

 

Highlights of the changes are:

 

>  In limited circumstances, individuals can now perform asbestos abatement work without first applying for an Iowa asbestos license. 

>  The traditional notice required 10 days before beginning work on an asbestos project will not be required by the Division of Labor Services in limited circumstances. 

>  Notifications of asbestos projects can be submitted electronically for the first time.

>  The need for asbestos abatement contractors to be registered as contractors in disaster zones is clarified.

 

For more details, visit http://www.iowaworkforce.org/labor/.  

Health and Safety Tips:

• How To Protect Yourself from Asbestos Hazards (PDF)

• OSHA Flood Recovery Tips
  For information and tips on how to protect yourself from safety and health hazards after a flood

• Boiler Safety Notice
  Recent flooding raises concern about the safety of boilers, water heaters, and pressure vessels in Iowa.  If any part of these objects has been submerged in water for even a brief time, do not operate the equipment until a qualified professional performs appropriate maintenance and repairs.  In most cases, gas valves, controls, and water heaters cannot be repaired and must be replaced after flooding.  Proper servicing can prevent serious injuries or death. 

• Elevator Safety Notice
  Recent flooding raises concern about the safety of elevators, escalators, dumb waiters and related equipment in Iowa. If any part of an elevator or the pit below the elevator have been submerged in water for even a brief period of time, do not operate the elevator until a qualified elevator mechanic performs appropriate replacements, maintenance and repairs. Most parts of an elevator that have been flooded will need to be replaced rather than repaired. Proper servicing can prevent serious injuries or death.