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Labor Department Awards $8.5 Million to Improve Remote Access
to State Unemployment Systems
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor today announced
$8.5 million in grants to 12 states to provide employers and
unemployed workers remote access to unemployment insurance services.
“These grants totaling $8.5 million will help achieve
the President’s management agenda which calls for improved
government performance, effectiveness and efficiency in the
services we provide to the American people,” said Secretary
of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “This $8.5 million in grant money
will help the unemployment insurance system deliver better service
to workers and employers using 21stcentury tools.”
Funds were awarded to state workforce agencies that submitted
proposals to implement systems supporting Internet and telephone
initial claims and Internet access for employer registration
and tax and wage reporting. The grants, being awarded for the
eighth year, are capped at $1 million for telephone initial
claims systems and $500,000 for Internet systems.
“Using remote systems to serve customers improves performance
and responsiveness, but also makes the unemployment insurance
system a friendlier experience,” said Emily Stover DeRocco,
assistant secretary of labor for employment and training. “When
claimants and employers enter data directly, errors and duplication
are reduced and services are expedited.”
The grant awards were based upon measurable improvements in
quality, reduced costs to unemployed workers and employers,
strategic design, system security, and technical merit.
A list of states receiving grants is attached. Four states received
grants in two categories.
* * *
Unemployment Insurance Remote Systems Grants
Telephone Initial Claims
Taking Arkansas $1,000,000
District of Columbia $986,500
Puerto Rico $1,000,000
Internet Initial Claims
Taking Alabama $497,550
Alaska $499,887
Internet Employer Registration
District of Columbia $474,558
Idaho $112,430
Michigan $415,278
Minnesota $500,000
New Mexico $500,000
South Dakota $370,500
Internet Employer Tax and Wage Reporting
Louisiana $227,628
Michigan $499,342
Minnesota $500,000
New Hampshire $500,000
New Mexico $500,000
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