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References: UIPL 30-95, UIPL 30-95, Change 1 and UIPL 30-95, Change 2. Background: There has been considerable interest among State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) in seeing FUTA receipts by State compared to amounts returned to the States in past years. This UIPL provides these data for FY 1995 and includes updated totals for FY 1981-95. The entire series for FY 1981-93 can be found in UIPL 30-95, and the individual State totals for FY 1994 can be found in UIPL 30-95, Change 1. When comparisons are made between FUTA receipts and amounts returned, it is important to recognize that $7.6 billion of the FUTA receipts for FY 1981-87 were used to repay general revenue loans for Federal benefits paid prior to FY 1981. Also, certain items, particularly postage costs and National Activities expenditures, are not reflected in the State data. These items total approximately $2.3 billion for the FY 1981-95 period. Both of these factors serve to reduce the apparent proportion of FUTA receipts returned to States. Action Required: Please distribute to appropriate staff and replace UIPL 30-95, Change 2.

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References: UIPL 15-96 (April 2, 1996), "Proposal to Modify the Benefits Quality Control Program;" UIPL 19-96 (April 24, 1996), "Procedures for Release of Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) (formerly Benefits Quality Control (BQC)) Data for Calendar Year (CY) 1995. Background: Through UIPL 15-96, the Department solicited comments on a series of modifications to the Benefits Quality Control program (renamed Benefit Accuracy Measurement). The changes were proposed as part of the move to the UI Performs system and were consistent with recommendations by the Vice President's National Performance Review. Comments were sought on the following proposed changes: (1) elimination of the requirement that States publish BAM data findings annually; (2) more elaborate data breakdowns for publications of BAM data; (3) a review of the present BAM data record (Data Collection Instrument or DCI); (4) eventual measurement of the accuracy of decisions denying benefit claims; (5) reductions in required sample sizes to 360 cases per year in the 10 smallest States and 480 in the remainder of the States (the 10 smallest, defined operationally as those with fewest average weeks compensated during each of the past five years, are Delaware, District of Columbia, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont and Wyoming); (6) greater flexibility in choosing methods for verifying claims data; and (7) making resources freed up by lower measurement demands available for other UI Performs activities. Four main themes characterized the responses to the UIPL. These were: (1) overall acceptance of the proposed changes; (2) concern that integrity would be diminished because of the smaller samples and less in-person verification; (3) uncertainty about the implications of freeing up BAM resources for other uses; and (4) the belief that it was timely to begin examining the accuracy of denials decisions. In response to the concerns expressed in the responses, the Department informed the OMB in the clearance process of its intent to emphasize that the new sample sizes are to be understood as minimum sampling levels. States should not feel constrained to those levels if they believe they need larger ones. In turn, OMB required the Department to clarify this as a condition of its approval. In addition, the Department wishes to stress that, for most States, allocations remain sufficient to verify the 1996 sample sizes using the mix of in-person and telephone contacts instituted in 1993. Status of BAM Program Changes: (a) Publication: Through UIPL 19-96, the Department announced the removal of the requirement that States release their BAM findings in a public forum. (b) Building Block Rates: The Department has developed some preliminary approaches to a building block report format which provides alternative breakouts of the BAM data. Two are used to display each State's 1995 data in the 1995 BAM Annual Report. (c) DCI Review: Because of other priorities in rolling out the UI Performs system, and because the size of the data record has little effect on BAM costs, the Department has decided to delay the review of the BAM DCI for the time being. (d) Denials Accuracy: After soliciting volunteers through UIPL 27-96, the Department selected Nebraska, New Jersey, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wisconsin as pilot States. The pilot is expected to involve 12 months of sampling, beginning in Spring 1997. (e) Other: The Department published a preclearance notice in the February 5, 1996, Federal Register at 4291 indicating its intention to reauthorize the BAM program under the Paperwork Reduction Act. It proposed sample size reductions, flexibility in investigative methods, and releasing freed-up BAM resources for other UI Performs activities, all of which required OMB approval. On September 15, 1996, OMB approved collection of BAM data through September 30, 1999, with the proposed changes. States should note that the new lower sampling rates are to be understood as minimum sampling levels. They may draw larger BAM samples if their needs would be served by samples larger than the new minimum levels. In addition, under the terms of the approval, States have flexibility in investigative methods and may use resources not needed for BAM investigations for other UI Performs activities. The additional investigative flexibility eliminates the requirement that States make in-person contacts the lead method for obtaining claimant information and verifying worksearch. Implementation of OMB-Approved Changes: The OMB approval of BAM sample reductions and changes in procedures came too late to enable their implementation on October 1, 1996, as originally intended. States will therefore shift to the new sampling rates and more flexible methodology beginning with batch 9701 (week of December 29, 1996 - January 4, 1997). States must complete investigation of all sampled cases in a timely manner. Therefore they should not plan to shift BAM resources immediately, but allow a phasedown period to complete all investigations of cases in the pipeline from previous higher sampling levels. Cases sampled before batch 9701 should be completed using the present "mixed mode" methodology. Budget detail for FY 1997 reflects the phasedown period. The length of this period will depend on the size of the backlog, but should average approximately 2 months; it may also be influenced by the Handbook 395 requirement that 98 percent of calendar year cases be completed within 120 days of the ending date of the calendar year. The specifications of the new investigative procedures will be made available soon through issuance of a revision of the affected sections of Handbook 395. Action Required: The SESA Administrators are requested to share this information with appropriate staff, and plan accordingly for the changeover date.

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Reference: TEIN 7-88 Information: The attached checklists are issued to notify the JTPA and ES systems of those TEINs and TEGLs that have been rescinded during the last program year. There are also checklists of all TEINs and TEGLs remaining active.

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References. DINAP Bulletin No 95-15. Background. Prior to the issuance of PY 1996 title IV-A grant allocations, the Department of Labor (DOL) sought input from the grantees on the use of program funds for technical assistance and training purposes. Following are the results of the last year's comments: Program Year 1995 - 189 grantees - 110 (58%) grantee responses received - 79 (42%) no response submitted TAT Preference Results - 110 responses - 68 (62%) favored using less than 1% for TAT in PY 1996 - 30 (27%) favored using 1% for TAT in PY 1996 - 12 (11%) did not favor using any program funds for TAT purposes in PY 1996 Almost ninety percent of the grantees that responded favored using program funds for TAT purposes in PY 1996; however, because an overwhelming mandate was not established as sought by the Department, a decision was made to not use any PY 1996 program funds for TAT purposes. New Survey. The Council along with many grantees have asked the Department to once again seek broad input regarding the use of PY 1997 program funds for TAT purposes. As stated in DINAP Bulletin 95-15, the section 401 program regulations at 20 CFR 632.171(b) give the Department authority to reserve up to one percent (1%) of the title IV-A allocation for TAT purposes. However, even though the Department has never exercised this authority, it is the desire of the Department and the Council to once again seek broad grantee input prior to any decision regarding the use of program funds for TAT purposes. A few basic facts should be clearly understood by all grantees prior to informing the Department of your position on this important issue: a. The hold harmless factor used in calculating the last three PY allocations will not be used for PY 1997. Once the hold harmless factor is removed, a few grantees will receive slightly smaller allocations for PY 97 while some grantees will get a slightly larger allocation. This occurs each time the hold harmless factor is finally removed to adjust for the exact allocations based on the actual results of 1990 Census data. b. The FY 1997 title IV-A appropriation for the 401 program in PY 1997 is the same as for the current PY 1996--$52.5 million. c. This issue was discussed at the October 1996 meeting of the Council, and it was agreed that the Department would once again seek input from all grantees on this important issue prior to any final decision. Options. The following describes the options each grantee should consider prior to submitting their input to the Department: Option 1 - use one percent (1% of $52.5 million equals $520,000) of PY 1997 program funds as allowed by the regulations for TAT activities. Example: If grantee A's title IV-A allocation for PY 97 is $400,000, their grant would be reduced by $4,000. Option 2 - use half a percent (.5% of $52.5 million equals $262,500) of PY 1997 program funds for TAT activities. Example: If grantee B's title IV-A allocation for PY 97 is $65,000, their grant would be reduced by $325. Option 3 - do not use any PY 1997 program funds for TAT purposes. Any title IV-A program funds used for TAT purposes by law, can only be used to directly benefit grantees. These funds cannot be used by Federal staff for any purposes, i.e., travel, lodging, salaries, etc. As in the past, some of the activities engaged in under the TAT contract would include peer-to-peer on-site technical assistance, logistical support of the national and multi-regional TAT conferences, payment of travel costs for smaller grantees to attend these TAT sessions, and the hiring of outside (i.e., non-governmental) consultants to provide specialized training, as in computer and/or electronic communications classes. Any other suggested options regarding either the funding or the nature of TAT to be provided are welcome. Action Required. All JTPA section 401 grantees are encouraged to voice their opinions on these options and to submit them in writing to the Department. Because of the requirement to publish preliminary allocation figures for grantee planning purposes in a timely manner, the deadline for receiving these comments is relatively short. Grantees and the public are therefore encouraged to submit their comments by December 20, 1996. Grantees and the public are hereby notified that any reduction of grantees' PY 1997 title IV-A allocations for TAT will not decrease the dollar amounts available from allocations for administrative costs. Questions. Questions should be addressed to Mr. Thomas Dowd at (202) 219- 8502 or to Greg Gross at (202) 219-7509.