To encourage the workforce investment system to make entrepreneurial training opportunities available for people interested in self-employment under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

To inform State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) of changes made to the unemployment insurance (UI) performance management system "UI Performs" as a result of a five-year review; to convey a summary of the comments received in response to the Federal Register Notice (FRN) containing Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) 21-04 "Proposed Changes to UI Performs"; and to provide effective dates for implementing changes.

To inform the workforce investment system of a national Mystery Shopping project.

To announce that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the extension of data collection for the Benefit Appeals Report, ETA 5130.

To ensure state workforce agencies (SWAs) are aware of locality-based salary rates for some Federal civilian employees that SWA personnel may use in completing Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees Form ES-935, Claimant Statement of Federal Civilian Service.

To ensure that state workforce agencies are aware of the increases in social security survivors and old age retirement annuities and Federal civilian pensions due to annual cost of living adjustments (COLAs).

To announce the rate of interest the U.S. Treasury Department will charge on Title XII advances (loans) during CY 2005.

Protocol for Serving Older Workers

To provide information and program guidance to state workforce agencies (SWAs) regarding the Ticket to Work Program and its relationship to the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Program.

To clarify guidance for the development and management of the PY 2004 Workforce Information Core Products and Services Grant Plan.