LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Tennessee and Kentucky are receiving assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor to help unemployed residents find work and determine eligibility.

Labor Secretary Thomas Perez says the grants are intended to help the newly unemployed reduce time between jobs and prevent improper payments to preserve benefits for those who are eligible.

The Labor Department says the grants will fund services such as in-person assessments at American Job Centers.

The agency has awarded grants through the initiative for 11 years.

The department awarded $2 million to Tennessee and $1 million to Kentucky out of a total $80 million that is going to workforce agencies in 44 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.