Unemployed residents of Tioga, Chenango and Delaware counties could get a free gas card from the state to pay for gasoline to get to job interviews.

The three Southern Tier counties were included in a list of 34 rural counties to get a combined $250,000 in gas cards to unemployed people in an attempt to improve the state’s employment rate, Gov. David A. Paterson unveiled Monday.

The cards are intended to pay expenses for people looking for jobs and going to interviews.

“The latest unemployment numbers in New York are at a historic high, and we have yet to see the bottom of this economic crisis,” Paterson said. “Every bit of extra help is important to unemployed New Yorkers in these tough times.”

Paterson is getting the money for the gas cards from the federal Workforce Investment Act. The $250,000 will be divided up among statewide Workforce Investment Boards to distribute in cards ranging from $25 to $50 in value, according to a statement from Paterson’s office.

More than 652,000 people are unemployed in New York, according to the latest figures reported by the state Labor Department. The unemployed rate is 6.8 percent.

In order to receive a gas card, a person must be unemployed, actively looking for a job and registered with the county One-Stop Career Center, an agency that offers free services and resources to those seeking employment.

“Unemployed workers in our rural counties face unique difficulties in their job hunt,” said state Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith. “Often they must drive long distances simply to apply for a job, attend an interview, or work on their resume at our One-Stop Career Center.”

Cards will be available from now until June 30 or when funds run out.

For more information, visit the Department of Labor’s Web site at www.labor.ny.gov.

Source: Pressconnects