This Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) conveys to states the Administration's priorities, modification requirements, submission process, and deadline for the required modification of the WIOA Unified and Combined State Plans (State Plans) for PY 2022 and PY 2023, consistent with Sections 102 and 103 of WIOA.

To provide information on grant awards made to states selected to participate as "build and pilot" partners in the Claimant Experience Pilot and to provide information on how State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) can express interest in participating in future UI IT modernization pilots.

To inform state and Federal agencies of their responsibilities during a lapse in Federal appropriations that leads to a full or partial Federal government shutdown.

To inform State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) about the launch of the NASWA UI Integrity Center's Behavioral Insights Toolkit and to provide states with information on how to access the Toolkit resources.

To convey the WOTC Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 initial funding allotments and application requirements for State Workforce Agencies (SWA) based on funding appropriated through a continuing resolution (CR) through December 3, 2021.

To notify State Workforce Agencies of the availability of up to $200 million in funding to support states in improving UC systems and processes following a consultative assessment with a team of experts provided by the U.S. Department of Labor's (Department) Employment and Training Administration (ETA).

To advise states that the deadline for submitting a grant application to assist states in promoting equitable access to unemployment compensation (UC) programs is extended to November 30 , 2021.

To announce the availability of an incarceration data exchange with SSA’s PUPS systems through the ICON network and to provide instructions to states on the steps required to access the data exchange. The incarceration data exchange will provide State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) with the ability to cross-match UI claims information with SSA's prisoner data to aid states in determining if an individual meets UI eligibility requirements.

The U.S. Departments of Labor and Education (the Departments) have determined it is appropriate and reasonable for the Department of Labor (DOL) to begin assessing performance for two performance indicators under WIOA title I and III core programs for PYs 2020 and 2021 in accordance with the phased-in approach to performance assessments described in Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 11-19, Negotiations and Sanctions Guidance for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Core Programs. The Departments, as permitted under section 503(a) of WIOA, have determined it reasonable to delay assessing performance for the purpose of imposing sanctions for the remaining performance indicators to ensure an orderly transition from the requirements of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) to those of WIOA.

To provide information regarding annual assurances for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), which must be included in all State Quality Service Plans (SQSP) beginning Fiscal Year (FY) 2022; and to announce the availability of a DUA Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) template.