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Average Weekly Benefit Amount (AWBA) Utilization: As required by 20 CFR 625.6, the attached listing sets forth the 50 percent of AWBA computation applicable for major disasters declared during the fourth quarter of FY 1997, from July 1 through September 30, 1997. Action Required: SESA Administrators are requested to provide this information to appropriate staff and insure that the correct AWBA is utilized in determining the weekly DUA amount.

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References: Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) No. 35-95; UIPL No. 5- 97; UIPL No. 38-96 and UIPL No. 38-96, Change 1. Background: In support of SESAs' decisions to implement remote initial claimstaking, a series of planning grants and implementation grants were provided during Fiscal Year (FY) 1996. Implementation grants were also awarded in FY 1997. Additional implementation grants may be offered next fiscal year if funds are appropriated for such use. Due to the limited funds available, the grants are being awarded on a competitive basis and are limited to financing one-time implementation costs for acquisition of telecommunications equipment and related services. The Department's interpretation of several Federal requirements in a remote claimstaking environment was issued in UIPLs No. 35-95 and No. 5-97, dated June 28, 1995 and December 2, 1996, respectively. In addition, the Department issued UIPL No. 38-96, dated September 26, 1996, and UIPL No. 38-96, Change 1, dated January 7, 1997, to advise SESAs of changes to the Interstate Statistical Data Exchange format and data exchange instructions. However, additional questions have been raised about the Department's position concerning the use of telephones and other remote means for initial claimstaking as an alternative, or in addition to in-person claimstaking, as well as the impact of such remote initial claimstaking on a State's One- Stop Career Center concept. This directive contains the Department's position. Department's Position: The Department will continue to assist SESAs in implementing systems that are technologically feasible and efficient in an effort to deliver quality services to claimants. However, the Telephone Claims Implementation Grants are not an attempt to dictate a single method of service delivery for the SESA, nor does the Department's support imply that the transition to remote claimstaking is considered more desirable than in-person service delivery. The Department recognizes that SESAs are better situated to assess the methods that best serve their claimant and employer needs. The FY 1996 and 1997 Telephone Initial Claims Implementation Grants announcements advised SESAs that proposals should provide for the use of remote procedures in taking a majority of initial claims. The Department plans to reevaluate its criteria with regard to future telephone implementation grants. Relationship between Remote Initial Claimstaking and One-Stop Career Centers: The UI program is a significant part of the State's new workforce development system. Therefore, its role in the State's One-Stop Career Center operations is considered significant whether it is an in-person physical presence or through the use of remote access. As a part of the national initiative of building a high-priority integrated Workforce Development System, ETA is initiating a national dialogue regrading the development of a vision for the UI program within the Workforce Development (or One-Stop Career Center) System. It is expected that a Training and Employment Information Notice will be issued in the immediate future to engage SESAs and other stakeholders in that consultative process. Action Required: SESA Administrators should inform appropriate staff of the Department's position as set forth in this program letter.

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Background: Each year the Division of Older Worker Programs issues notices to the program sponsors of the SCSEP in the form of Older Worker Bulletins. The issues addressed in these bulletins focus on matters of policy, procedures and subjects of general interest. Issuance: The attached index of Older Worker Bulletins is ordered by number. Only those bulletins still pertinent to the SCSEP are referenced in this index. They are updated from the previous index of bulletins, issued in November of 1996. Sponsors may wish to maintain copies of some rescinded bulletins which are not included on the list. Such bulletins may include those concerning such topics as income eligibility or reporting instructions, which may be needed for audit or historical purposes. Should you have questions concerning bulletins that are not included on this list, please advise us accordingly. Directive: The index should be used by the SCSEP sponsors to identify Older Worker Bulletins of a specific nature. This index will continue to be updated periodically by the Department. Sponsors are responsible for maintaining their own files and should not rely on the Department to retrieve old issuances. Sponsors are further reminded that their office should retain a permanent file of OW Bulletins. Copies of the pertinent bulletins, as well as the current program year bulletins, may be accessed via the SCSEP homepage on the Internet. If a sponsor is unable to access the Internet and is missing any of the listed bulletins, the Department will provide hard copies upon request.

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References: UIPL No. 10-96, Implementation of New Time Lapse and Quality Measures for Unemployment Insurance Benefit Operations. Background: New performance measures for nonmonetary determination quality and timeliness were approved for implementation on July 1, 1996. Three training seminars were held during 1996 for SESA staff. The number of staff accommodated at these training seminars was limited and, as implementation progresses, the National Office has become aware of the need for additional training. Participants and Objectives: Three training seminars are scheduled for SESA nonmonetary determination staff who are responsible for quality evaluations of nonmonetary determinations. The training will be similar to that provided last year, but will place more emphasis on the quality elements of the nonmonetary review. All seminars will begin at noon on Monday and end at noon on Friday. Reservations for each seminar will be on a first-come, first-served basis. SESAs are not restricted in the number of staff they may nominate to attend; however, seminar size will be limited to 20-22 participants to permit more comprehensive discussion. Additional sessions may be scheduled later in the fiscal year if warranted by demand. As a result of limited travel funds for National Office staff, any additional sessions will be scheduled for Washington, D.C. Federal monies will be provided for travel and per diem costs for SESA staff to attend the training seminars. The first seminar for staff in Regions I through IV will be in Washington, D.C., beginning May 5, 1997. Hotel accommodations have been arranged at the Georgetown Suites, 1000 29th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. All suites have fully-equipped kitchens including refrigerators, microwaves, range/oven, and cooking and eating utensils. Hair dryers, irons, and ironing boards are also provided in each suite. The room rate is $124 per night and reservations should be made directly with the hotel at 202-298-1600 no later than April 11, 1997. Registrants should identify themselves as part of the U.S. Department of Labor group. The second seminar for staff in Regions V through VIII will be in St. Louis, Missouri, beginning June 9, 1997. The third seminar for Regions IX and X will be held in the Los Angeles, California area, beginning July 14, 1997. Several sites are being considered at this time. The RO staff will notify SESAs when a final selection is made. Action Required: State Administrators are requested to select and notify appropriate SESA staff of the upcoming BTQ quality training seminars and provide Regional Office staff with the name, title, and estimated travel cost of each SESA participant who has been nominated to attend by: April 4, 1997 for states in Regions I - IV, May 2, 1997 for states in Regions V - VIII, and June 6, 1997 for states in Regions IX - X.