Rhode Island has been awarded nearly $1.25 million to provide re-employment and eligibility assessments to people who are unemployed.

The state's congressional delegation announced the funding from theU.S. Department of Labor.

It will be used to expand unemployment services so the state can conduct in-person assessments to help people identify their strengths and opportunities in the workforce and to refer them for job training and services.

The delegation says the reviews will also help ensure that only those eligible for unemployment insurance payments receive assistance.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat, says the funding will help job seekers and modernize the unemployment insurance system.

U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin, also a Democrat, says reemployment programs can close the gap between job seekers and employers that are hiring.