The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Dislocated Worker Program Allotments for Program Year (PY) 2025 are administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA). This federal grant program supports workforce services for individuals who have lost employment due to layoffs, company closures, or other dislocation events. It is part of WIOA Title I, Chapter 3, and is funded by the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Public Law 119-4), which authorizes both formula-based and national reserve distributions for dislocated worker activities.
The total PY 2025 appropriation for the Dislocated Worker Program is $1,396,412,000. After deducting $3,034,000 for authorized set-asides, $1,393,378,000 remains for distribution. Of this, $1,092,519,000 is allocated to states using a statutory formula, while $297,375,555 is set aside for the National Reserve, and $3,483,445 is designated for outlying areas. State-level allotments are based on three key data factors: total unemployment, excess unemployment, and long-term unemployment, measured over the 12-month period from October 2023 through September 2024. States receive two notices of award, covering “base” funds available July 1, 2025, and “advance” funds available October 1, 2025.
States are required to use these funds to provide employment and training services to dislocated workers, including career counseling, job search assistance, occupational training, and supportive services. States may reserve up to 25% of their allocation for Rapid Response activities to address mass layoffs and closures and up to 15% for statewide activities. Local sub-state allocations must be made using six WIOA-mandated data factors, including unemployment concentrations, plant closures, and long-term unemployment. States must maintain a minimum local allocation percentage of 90% of the two-year average to ensure stability across local areas.
To access funding, states must submit an electronically signed SF-424 application through Grants.gov using funding opportunity number ETA-TEGL-11-24-DW (CFDA 17.278) no later than 30 days after the TEGL issuance on May 20, 2025, resulting in a deadline of June 19, 2025. Funds must be obligated according to strict timelines, and PY 2025 reallotments will be based on state obligation levels of PY 2024 funds. States must also submit financial status reports (ETA-9130) quarterly and adhere to data integrity and reporting requirements.
For inquiries, contact Jenifer McEnery, the designated grant officer, at McEnery.Jenifer@dol.gov. The performance period for the funds is from July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The grant includes flexibility for local areas to transfer funds between Adult and Dislocated Worker programs with gubernatorial approval, offering adaptability to address workforce needs.
