ADVISORY:	UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 19-04
TO:	STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES

FROM:	CHERYL ATKINSON  /s/ Administrator       Office of Workforce Security

SUBJECT:

Additional Information for State Workforce Agencies to Implement Data Sharing with the Social Security Administration via the Interstate Connection Network

1. Purpose.To provide State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) with additional information and documents to complete the project to exchange data with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

2. References. Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) No. 29-02.

3. Background. The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and SSA signed a memorandum of understanding on March 5, 2004, that will allow states to have real-time access to social security data to combat unemployment benefit fraud and abuse. The signing of this agreement clears the way for the SSA and SWAs to proceed with implementation of the data exchange.

RESCISSIONS	EXPIRATION DATE
None	March 31, 2005

4. Action Required. The following are next steps for SWAs:

• SWAs should, if they haven't already, complete the programming and testing necessary to imbed in their automated systems the process to request and receive SSA data. Attached is a copy of the latest program logic document that should be used by the states for that purpose (see attachment I). This document was e-mailed to the Interstate Connection Network (ICON) programmers and to the SWA Interstate Program Coordinators on January 15, 2004.
  
• SWAs should ensure that their security systems meet SSA's requirements and that they are ready for the required Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V). Attached are two reference documents. The first document, "Systems Security Requirements for SWA Access to SSA Information Through the ICON System," provides SWAs with the SSA security requirements against which the IV&V must be conducted (see attachment II). The SWAs should provide the second document, "SWA Access to SSA Data through the Interstate Connection Network, IV&V Specifications," to the IV&V contractor as a guide in conducting the IV&V (see attachment III). In order for a state to be allowed access to the SSA data, the SWA system must meet SSA's security requirements.
  
• SWAs should begin working with the SSA regional contacts (see attachment IV) to develop and execute a state-specific data sharing agreement or to amend and execute an existing state-specific data sharing agreement.
  
• SWAs should forward a signed copy of their data sharing agreement with SSA and a copy of their IV&V certification to the National Office through the Regional Office (RO). Both are required to initiate the reciprocal data exchange.
  
• SWAs that did not submit supplemental budget requests for SSA crossmatch and IV&V activities last year may do so this year. SWAs seeking these funds should contact their RO for information and instructions.
  
• The Information Technology Support Center (ITSC) is prepared to assist SWAs obtain an IV&V (see attachment V). SWAs may use ITSC services via a direct, separately-funded contract or by the established deobligation procedure.