Interstate and Combined Wage Claim Data Processing and Electronic Transmission

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration Washington, D. C. 20210	CLASSIFICATION UIS
	CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL TEUMC
	ISSUE DATE September 23, l994
RESCISSIONS None	EXPIRATION DATE September 30, 1994

DIRECTIVE

:

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 45-94

TO

:

ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES

FROM

:

MARY ANN WYRSCH
Director
Unemployment Insurance Service

SUBJECT

:

Interstate and Combined Wage Claim Data Processing and Electronic Transmission - Technical Assistance Plan

Purpose. To advise State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) of the 3-year plan to provide on-site technical assistance to the SESAs to ensure that all Interstate Telecommunications Network (INTER NET) Interstate and combined wage applications are interfaced with the State's operating system.
References. Interstate Benefit Payment Plan; ET Handbook 392; Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages; ET Handbook 399; INTERNET User Guide.
Background. Over the past ten years, systematic changes have been made to the interstate benefits (IB) and combined wage claims (CWC) procedures to improve the quality and timeliness of service to claimants. These changes include the use of the INTERNET to communicate initial claims and transfer wages between States to eliminate some paper documents, mail delays, and manual processing of interstate and combined wage claims.

All States are now telecommunicating interstate claims and wage transfer data. However, the degree to which manual handling or processing of data prior to transmission to or after received from another State varies greatly. In order for all SESAs to realize the full benefits of the electronic transmission of data and automation in the processing and handling of interstate and combined wage claims, each State's INTERNET applications must systematically operate in conjunction with the State's operating system. To this end, on-site technical assistance has been available on a limited basis to fully interface the State's INTERNET applications with its operating system, including installation of appropriate edits and controls.

Over the past two years, the Martin Marietta Information Systems (MMIS) INTERNET staff has been increased to provide technical assistance to SESAs requesting such assistance. The assistance has consisted of: one day on-site reviews of the SESA's IB/CWC programs to determine the SESA's data processing needs to totally interface the INTERNET applications with the State operating system, and on-site programming to interface the INTERNET applications with the State's operating system. Recently the number of States requesting assistance has significantly increased. Experience indicates that the average length of time that the MMIS staff is required on-site is approximately 3-4 months. Therefore, the MMIS staff is being increased to ensure that all SESAs can be provided with the necessary assistance to become totally interfaced within the next 3 years.
MMIS On-Site Visits and SESA's Responsibilities. MMIS staff will conduct a one day review in those States that have not yet been reviewed to determine the State's needs to become totally interfaced. During this visit, the SESA must make available the appropriate staff necessary to the objective. Additionally, each SESA receiving assistance must be prepared to provide the MMIS staff the necessary data processing support while writing and testing the interface applications. There is usually some programming and testing required of the State staff. This support must be available while the MMIS staff is on-site. Experience indicates that programming and testing required of State staff not completed prior to the departure of MMIS staff loses priority.
Plan of Action. Due to staff limitations, as the level of request for assistance has increased, a method for determining MMIS staff deployment had to be established. ETA, in consultation with the Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies' Interstate Benefit Committee, has determined that assistance should be prioritized based on the SESA's interstate workload, date of the SESA's request for assistance, results of the one day review, and the level of the SESA's commitment to provide the necessary support for MMIS staff while on site. The level of the SESA's commitment to provide the necessary support is extremely important because MMIS staff is not familiar with each State's system and appropriate State staff must be available, as needed. Once the SESAs one day reviews and/or technical assistance visits are prioritized, the National Office will coordinate the on-site assistance through the appropriate Regional Office.

Although priority in providing on-site technical assistance will be given to those States requesting assistance, ETA plans to conduct one-day visits in all States to assess the level of each State's interface of the INTERNET applications.
Status of MMIS On-site Interfacing Assistance and SESA's Reauest for Assistance.
1. One-day Evaluations Completed.
2. One-day Evaluations Requested.
3. MMIS On-site Interfacing Assistance Completed.
4. On-Site Assistance to be Scheduled.
Action Required. SESAs should request a one-day assessment and/or on-site technical assistance by sending a written request to the appropriate Regional Office by COB September 30, 1994.
Inquiries. Any questions should be addressed to the appropriate Regional Office.

DIRECTIVE	:	UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 45-94

TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES

FROM	:	MARY ANN WYRSCH Director Unemployment Insurance Service

SUBJECT	:	Interstate and Combined Wage Claim Data Processing and Electronic Transmission - Technical Assistance Plan