UIPL17-00.html

ETA Advisory File Text

Revisions to the UTFAS U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOREmployment and Training AdministrationWashington D. C. 20210 CLASSIFICATION UI CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL TEUFA ISSUE DATE March 6 2000 RESCISSIONS None EXPIRATION DATE February 27 2001 DIRECTIVE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 17-00 TO STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES FROM GRACE A. KILBANEAdministratorOffice of Workforce Security SUBJECT Revisions to the Unemployment Trust Fund Accounting System UTFAS Purpose.To notify State Employment Security Agencies SESAs of revisions to the UTFAS and of accompanying training. Background.The Department of Treasury implemented the UTFAS in October 1996 providing States with on-line access for drawdowns State and Federal funds and book adjustments between accounts. The system also provides States with on-line access to information on deposits to the UTF by date and amount UTF trial balances detailed General Ledger information account balances Title XII summary and Reed Act transactions. New Systems.The Bureau of Public Debt BPD managers of the Unemployment Trust Fund UTF will soon replace the UTFAS software resulting in changes to the processing and retrieval of UTF transaction information. The most significant of the changes is the implementation of Automated Standard Application for Payments ASAP to execute drawdowns from the UTF book transfers Combined Wage Claim reimbursements and transfers of Federal income tax withholdings. The ASAP is operated by the Department of Treasury Financial Management Service FMS and is used by FMS to process funding requests for numerous Federal programs. In addition to replacing the UTFAS information capabilities ASAP will also replace the current FEDWIRE funding of drawdowns. To enroll in ASAP States will be required to have their banks maintaining clearing and or benefit payment accounts complete an information form which the FMS will send each State see quot Action Required quot in section 6 below . Another revision is the processing of deposits to the UTF through the CASHLINK system. States will also be requested to have their banks place the State's two digit identifier in the CASHLINK record. See quot Action Required quot in section 6 below. The revised system will also provide States more timely daily information on earnings in their UTF account. That capability will then give States more timely total balance information. States have been notified of these documentation requirements by BPD and or FMS. Training.The FMS and the BPD plan comprehensive training for States on the revised system. States will be given instructional material documentation and hands-on instruction. States are strongly encouraged to send staff responsible for the UTF transactions accounting and reporting to the training. States are responsible for selecting a session and making their travel arrangements. Scheduled dates and sites of training sessions are listed below. States have already been notified of these sessions by the BPD. March 16 - 17 2000. Philadelphia PA FMS Philadelphia Financial Center 13000 Townsend Road Philadelphia PA 19154 Contact Gina Giandomenica 215 516-8020 March 20 - 21 Kansas City Financial Center 4241 NE 34th Street Kansas City MO 64117 Contact Dianne Keith 816 414-2103 March 23 - 24 2000 San Francisco Financial Center 390 Main Street San Francisco CA 94105 Contact Elvie Ramabiles 415 817-7307 Because of the short time remaining until the training questions should be addressed to the appropriate FMS contact. Instructional material and assistance from the BPD will be provided States unable to attend one of the sessions. Action Required.SESA Administrators are requested to Complete and return the FMS information card copy attached for information purposes only Request banks processing deposits to the UTF through CASHLINK to place the State's two digit identifier in the CASHLINK record. Banks should be instructed to put the State two - letter abbreviation in the quot originator to beneficiary info quot field on the standard Fedline screen Send appropriate staff to one of the FMS BPD training sessions. In the event a State cannot attend arrangements should be made with the BPD for material and assistance. Questions.Questions should be addressed to the appropriate Regional Office. Questions may also be directed to Adam Tucci 304 480-5149 or Mark Ross 304 480-5154 of the BPD. Attachments. FMS information form Training and accommodations information.