DIRECTIVE	:	UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 11-91
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	DONALD J. KULICK Administrator for Regional Management
SUBJECT	:	Implementation of the Telecommunicated Report of Determination of Combined Wage Claim, TC-IB5

1. Purpose To advise SESAs of the implementation date for all States to be able to send and receive TC-IB5 data via INTERNET.

2. References. Section 3304(a)(9)(B) of the Social Security Act; 20 CFR 616; and, ET Handbook No. 399.

3. Background On April 2, 1990, the INTERNET application for the telecommunication of Combined Wage transfer requests and responses was successfully implemented by most States. Currently, all States except Indiana and the Virgin Islands are operational on the TC-IB4. All SESAs are expected to become operational in the near future.

   As SESAs complete the in-house interface of the TC-IB4 with the benefit operating system, the next step in automating Combined Wage transactions between States is the Report on Determination of Combined Wage Claim, Form IB-5.

   The Form IB-5 is used to notify transferring States of the disposition of wages transferred, i.e., return unused wages and advise transferring States of potential benefit liability. The TC-IB5 will replace the paper form. The complete integration of these applications with the SESA's operating system will provide for more effective and efficient processing of combined wage claims and related transactions.

   Over the past few months, the States of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota have conducted in-house testing of the INTERNET TC-IB5 code, developed by Martin Marietta Information Systems Group (MMISG) (formerly Martin Martietta Data Systems). The States of Nebraska and South Dakota began live testing of the code during November 1990.

4. Distribution of the TC-IB5 Software Package The TC-IB5 code was distributed nationally by MMISG in early December. This code provides the common carrier record, data entry screens and requirements definitions and parameters for generating the TC-IB5 base file from existing records.

5. Implementation Meetings. Implementation meetings have been scheduled for SESAs' INTERNET programmers and Interstate INTERNET Coordinators in Regions 1-5 on January 24-25, 1991, in Orlando, Florida and for Regions 6-10 on January 29-30, in Phoenix, Arizona. Ideally, SESAs will have installed the application and begun testing prior to these meetings. Regional Offices have already made arrangements directly with SESAs for the January meetings.

6. Implementation Schedule The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), in consultation with the Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies' Interstate Benefit Committee, has established March 1, 1991, as the date by which all States should be operational for sending and receiving the TC-IB5. As SESAs complete in-house testing and training, the appropriate HUB should be notified. SESAs are encouraged to implement this application as soon as possible prior to March 1. The system provides a print capability to generate a paper copy for mailing to States which are not operational.

7. Action Required State Administrators are:

   1. requested to take necessary actions to ensure that the SESA meets the March 1, 1991, date for sending and receiving TC-IB-5 data via INTERNET;

   2. encouraged to provide programming support for the necessary interface of this code with the operating system in order to ensure the most efficient use of the application.

8. Inquiries. Direct all inquiries to the appropriate Regional Office.