[Employment and Training Administration](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta)

April 30, 2026 | May 1, 2026

Up to $400,000 per state; total program funding $18,800,000; 36-month project period.

Supports state costs for participating in enhanced Unemployment Insurance identity verification services via Login.gov.

Only U.S. states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands are eligible.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) provides grants to support state-incurred costs associated with participation in enhanced Unemployment Insurance (UI) identity verification services, delivered through the U.S. General Services Administration’s Login.gov platform. The goal is to strengthen the integrity of UI programs by improving fraud prevention and ensuring benefits are provided only to eligible individuals, while supporting state efforts to implement or transition to these enhanced digital ID verification systems. --- ## Due Dates - April 30, 2026: Grant application submission deadline (per UIPL; submit all materials via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time) - May 1, 2026: Final application closing date (Grants.gov; applications must be submitted electronically no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time) All application materials must be submitted through [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361736). --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: Up to $400,000 per state - Total estimated program funding: $18,800,000 - Expected number of awards: 47 - Project period: 36 months (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2028) - No cost-sharing or matching required Funds may be used for staff and technical costs to implement, enhance, and continue participation in the enhanced ID verification services offering. --- ## Eligibility - Eligible applicants: U.S. states (including the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) and the Virgin Islands. - States are grouped based on their status in previous ID verification offerings: - **Group 1:** States that signed a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) on or before June 28, 2024, and have not yet onboarded. These states must complete onboarding to the enhanced service by September 30, 2026. - **Group 2:** States already utilizing the previous ID verification offering; ETA will work with each state to develop a transition timeline. --- ## Application Process - Complete the application package, including: - SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) - SF-424A (Budget Information) - Full Project Plan (template provided in the UIPL) - Budget narrative (see UIPL attachment for required details) - If applicable, Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) - Submit all materials electronically via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361736) by the deadline. - SAM.gov registration is required and must be active throughout the application and award period. - Applications must address how funds will be used for allowable activities related to implementation, enhancement, or ongoing participation in the ID verification services. --- ## Additional Information - The Department will continue to pay transaction costs for at least two years after deployment of the enhanced services or two years after UIPL publication, subject to funding availability. - Grant funds may only be used for allowable activities incurred no earlier than the beginning of the calendar quarter preceding the award. - Quarterly progress and financial reporting are required (see ETA 9178-ARPA and ETA 9130 forms). - States must provide non-digital ID verification options for individuals needing accommodation. - As a condition of funding, states must agree to provide confidential unemployment compensation information to the Department’s Office of Inspector General for fraud investigation and audits. --- ## External Links - [Full Grants.gov Listing and Application Portal](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361736) - [Employment and Training Administration (Funder Homepage)](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta) - [UIPL 10-26 Full Program Letter (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/UIPL-10-26.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | |------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------| | Charlene Wright | [wright.charlene@dol.gov](mailto:wright.charlene@dol.gov) | Not listed | | ETA Help Desk | [eta.webportal@dol.gov](mailto:eta.webportal@dol.gov) | (877) 872-5627 | For programmatic or application questions, contact Charlene Wright (wright.charlene@dol.gov). For Grants.gov technical support, use the Grants.gov contact options on their site. ---

Announcement of Enhancements to Identity Verification Services and Funding Opportunity to Support State Costs Associated with Participation in Such Services

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