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FY 2018 RESEA grant funding and operations
Summary ETA told state unemployment agencies operating Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment programs how to continue activities under their approved FY 2017 plans during FY 2018. It gave final FY 2018 grant allotments and identified continuing requirements and new operating flexibilities. The attachments compare requirements and list each state's allotment; ETA still lists the advisory as Active although the funding year is historical.
Document
Federal guidance
Agency
U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Document number
UIPL No. 08-18
Date issued
July 16, 2018
Status
Active
ETA's listing marks this letter Active, and its PDF prints 'Rescissions: None' and 'Expiration Date: Continuing.' Its grant amounts and operating period concern FY 2018.
Status last verified October 24, 2026
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About this page: The full text below is the official document from U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.
CLASSIFICATION
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION
UI RESEA
CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL
ADVISORY SYSTEM
OUI/DUIO
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
DATE
Washington, D.C. 20210
July 16, 2018
ADVISORY: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 08-18
TO: STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES
FROM: ROSEMARY LAHASKY /s/
Deputy Assistant Secretary
SUBJECT: Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Funding Allotments and Operating Guidance for
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Reemployment Services and Eligibility
Assessment (RESEA) Grants
1. Purpose. To direct states currently operating RESEA programs to continue RESEA
activities in a manner consistent with their approved FY 2017 RESEA grant application,
provide final FY 2018 funding allotments, identify provisions of FY 2017 RESEA operating
guidance that will remain in effect during FY 2018, and inform states of new flexibilities
available for administration of the RESEA program.
2. References.
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-141;
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-123;
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-56, Division D;
Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017, Pub. L. No. 115-31, Division H;
Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) No. 3-17, Fiscal Year (FY) 2017
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment
(RESEA) Grants;
UIPL No. 3-17, Change 1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Unemployment Insurance (UI)
Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) Grants; and
Training and Employment Notice (TEN) No. 18-16, Pathways to Reemployment Tools
and Resources.
3. Background. The federal-state UI program is a required partner in the comprehensive,
integrated workforce system. Individuals who have lost employment due to lack of suitable
work and have earned sufficient wage credits may receive UI benefits if they meet initial and
continuing eligibility requirements. Since 2005, the U.S. Department of Labor (Department)
and participating state UI agencies have been addressing individual reemployment needs of
UI claimants, and working to prevent and detect UI improper payments, through the
voluntary UI Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment (REA) program and, beginning in
RESCISSIONS EXPIRATION DATE
None Continuing
FY 2015, through the voluntary RESEA program. Because there is strong evidence that
these programs and service delivery strategies work, they have been a high priority for the
Department’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA).1 At the end of FY 2017, a
total of 51 states and jurisdictions were operating a RESEA program.
On February 9, 2018, the President signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, Public Law
115-123 (BBA), which continued funding for government operations at FY 2017 levels
through March 23, 2018. The BBA also included amendments to the Social Security Act
(SSA) that create a permanent authorization for the RESEA program. These RESEA
provisions are contained in Section 30206 of the BBA, enacting new Section 306 of the SSA.
On March 23, 2018, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018,
which provided funding for the remainder of FY 2018. The Consolidated Appropriations Act
of 2018 directs that RESEA target services to transitioning veterans receiving
Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service members (UCX) and claimants receiving
Regular UI, including those who are profiled as most likely to exhaust benefits. UIPL No. 3-
17, Change 1, provided additional information about RESEA targeted populations that will
remain in effect for FY 2018 funds. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 also
delayed implementation of the new RESEA program established by the BBA’s amendments
to the SSA.
4. Operating Guidance. The Department is currently developing an implementation plan,
which will include necessary guidance and technical assistance to states on implementation
of the new RESEA program prescribed in Section 306 of the SSA. ETA will provide details
of this plan in the coming months.
Except for the changes to RESEA-required activities that allow states additional flexibility,
as described in Section 5 below and Attachment A, the FY 2017 RESEA operating guidance
(UIPL No. 3-17, Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Unemployment Insurance (UI) Reemployment
Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) Grants and UIPL No. 3-17, Change 1) will
remain in effect for FY 2018. New operating guidance will be issued for FY 2019, which
will begin the transition to the new RESEA requirements.
5. Required RESEA Services. The primary goals for the RESEA program are to ensure an
individual claiming unemployment compensation (UC) continues to be eligible for UC, and
to connect the claimant to reemployment services available in American Job Centers (AJCs)
that support the claimant’s return to work at the earliest possible time. To support these
goals, the Department has revised RESEA-required activities described in Section 9 of UIPL
No. 3-17 to provide states with greater flexibility in RESEA design and service delivery.
The following elements are the new core components of a RESEA that must be included as
part of the initial session with a UC claimant:
UI eligibility assessment, including review of work search activities, and referral to
adjudication, as appropriate, if an issue or potential issue(s) is identified;
1 IMPAQ International. January 2012. Impact of the Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment Initiative in
Nevada; and IMPAQ International. June 2011. Impact of the Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment Initiative.
Providing labor market and career information that addresses the claimant’s specific
needs;
Enrollment in Wagner-Peyser Act-funded Employment Services;
Providing support to the claimant to develop and implement an individual
reemployment plan; and
Providing information and access to AJC services and providing referrals to
reemployment services, and training as appropriate, to support the claimant’s return
to work.
These changes provide states greater flexibility and discretion in providing RESEA services.
Attachment A contains a side-by-side comparison of the FY 2017 and FY 2018 core
components, and a summary of the changes and their impact. While implementing the
modified required components of a RESEA, states should consider strategies that will be most
effective in achieving improved employment outcomes for claimants with the goal of
reducing benefit duration. Beginning in FY 2019, the new RESEA provisions in Section 306,
SSA, require states to use evidence-based practices to deliver RESEAs.
Requirements for the subsequent RESEA session with a UC claimant, if provided, are
unchanged from FY 2017 and must include, at a minimum, a UI eligibility assessment and
review and/or update of the claimant’s individual reemployment plan. Please note that the UI
eligibility assessment and support of the development of an individual reemployment plan
must continue to be provided on a one-on-one basis for both the initial and, if applicable, the
subsequent RESEA. Additionally, the FY 2018 appropriations act continues the requirement
that RESEA services be provided in-person.
States are also strongly encouraged to promote the use of the My Reemployment Plan tool
developed, in part, to fulfill the individual reemployment plan requirement. TEN No. 18-16
provides additional information about the My Reemployment Plan, and related tools and
resources. A PDF version of the My Reemployment Plan and related introductory videos are
available at: https://rc.workforcegps.org/.
Please note that the list above identifies the minimum core requirements, and states may opt to
include additional reemployment services, including any previously-required RESEA
activities that states currently provide. Additionally, any substantial financial or
programmatic changes to the state’s RESEA program resulting from implementation of this
new flexibility must be approved by submitting an appropriate grant modification request.
6. FY 2018 Funding. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 provides a total of $120
million for RESEA activities during FY 2018, an increase of $5 million over the FY 2017
funding level. The BBA and preceding continuing resolutions provided a total of
approximately $54.4 million to support RESEA activities. These funds were distributed to
states earlier this year through a series of “bridge funding” grants intended to allow states to
maintain operations while awaiting final FY 2018 appropriations. Therefore, approximately
$65.5 million in new funding is currently available and the state-level distribution of these
funds is provided in Attachment B.
The levels presented in Attachment B were calculated using the same methodology applied
to FY 2017 funding limits, which is based on a state workload of 18 percent of projected UI
first-payments during FY 2018 and each state’s FY 2017 cost per initial RESEA. Workload
calculations were increased from the 10 percent of UI first payments used during FY 2017 to
reflect the increase to the RESEA program resources for FY 2018. Each individual state may
request an amount up to the award limit provided in Attachment B and has discretion to
request a lesser amount based on appropriate factors such as capacity and program trends.
To prevent significant fluctuations in funding levels and disruptions in service delivery, ETA
applied minimum and maximum funding limits. These limits include a minimum funding
increase of 3.5 percent and a maximum increase of 7 percent from FY 2017 authorized
funding limits (see UIPL No. 3-17, Attachment C). Funding limits for the two states that
implemented new RESEA programs in FY 2017 and were subject to reduced maximum
funding levels to account for initial implementation activities, were calculated using the full
funding level that they would have received in FY 2017, if each had been a continuing state.
Grant recipients may be required to revise budget documents prior to award execution to
account for potential changes in final funding availability.
At this time, we do not anticipate additional FY 2018 funds becoming available. However,
states with both capacity and demand for additional RESEA services should include this
information in their transmittal email. States providing this information will be contacted if
additional funds become available, thus allowing the Department to provide supplemental
resources.
7. Period of Performance. For operational purposes, states are strongly encouraged to
continue to design and operate their RESEA programs based on a calendar year schedule.
Therefore, FY 2018 funds should be obligated between January 1, 2018 and December 31,
2018 and liquidated no later than March 31, 2019. However, the official period of
performance for FY 2018 RESEA funds will be January 1, 2018 through September 30,
2019, and funding must be liquidated by December 28, 2019. This longer period of
performance reflects the late award of funds and is intended to provide states with greater
flexibility if opting to modify the RESEA program to incorporate the increased flexibilities
explained in this UIPL.
8. Action Requested. State agency administrators in states operating RESEA programs are
requested to:
Provide information contained in this UIPL to appropriate staff.
Submit the following information via e-mail to [email protected]:
o Revised SF-424 and SF-424A reflecting the total funds needed to operate the
RESEA program for 2018 calendar year. These total funds include those
funds that the state may have received as “bridge funding” earlier this year as
well as new funds required to operate the program for the remainder of this
calendar year (2017). Attachment B provides the final FY 2018 maximum
allotments;
o A determination of capacity and demand for supplemental funds, if they
become available, including funds needed and number of additional
participants that would be served if supplemental funding is provided; and
o An appropriate grant modification request, if there are substantial changes
from the FY 2017 approved RESEA plan.
9. Inquiries. Please direct questions to the appropriate ETA Regional Office.
10. Attachments.
Attachment A: Summary of Changes to Reemployment Services and Eligibility
Assessment (RESEA) Program Requirements
Attachment B: Final Fiscal Year 2018 Allotments
Attachment (official PDF: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/advisories/UIPL/2018/UIPL_8-18_Attachment%20A_acc.pdf)
Attachment A: Summary of Changes to Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment
(RESEA) Program Requirements
FY 2017 Requirement FY 2018 Requirements Summary of Changes
UI eligibility assessment and referral to UI eligibility assessment, Clarifies that review of a claimant’s work
adjudication, as appropriate, if an issue including review or work search search is part of the eligibility assessment.
or potential issue(s) is identified. activities, and referral to
adjudication, as appropriate, if an
issue or potential issue(s) is
identified.
Requirement for the claimant to report No similar requirement. States have discretion to require participants
to an AJC. to report to an AJC or an alternative location,
such as other offices, libraries, or schools.
Please note that the RESEA services must
continue to be provided in-person.
Orientation to AJC services. No similar requirement. States have discretion to continue orientation
services as an allowable activity.
The provision of labor market and Providing labor market and career No substantial change.
career information that addresses the information that addresses the
claimant’s specific needs. claimant’s specific needs.
Registration with the state’s job bank. No similar requirement. States have discretion to require registration
with job bank as an allowable activity.
Enrollment in Wagner-Peyser Enrollment in Wagner-Peyser Act- No change.
Act-funded Employment Services. funded Employment Services.
Development or revision of an Providing support to the claimant States have discretion to use alternative
individual reemployment plan that to develop and implement an approaches to support individual
includes work search activities, individual reemployment plan. reemployment plans (e.g., separate
accessing services provided through an workshops, online tools, etc.). However,
AJC or using self-service tools, and/or these approaches must be tailored to the
approved training to which the claimant claimant’s needs and requires some one-on-
acknowledges agreement. one interaction. One approach is to use the
My Reemployment Plan at:
https://rc.workforcegps.org/.
Provision of at least one additional Providing information and access The provision of career services is an
career service, such as: to AJC services and providing allowable RESEA activity that may be
Referrals and coordination with referrals to reemployment services charged against the RESEA grant. However,
other workforce activities, and training as appropriate, to states are no longer required to provide these
including the WIOA Dislocated support the claimant’s return to services during the RESEA session(s).
Worker Program; work. Using this flexibility, states may provide
Labor Exchange, including information about available services,
information about in-demand referrals, or schedule subsequent activities,
industries and occupations and/or such as workshops or additional
job search assistance; assessments.
Information about the availability
of supportive services;
Information and assistance with
financial aid resources outside of
those provided by WIOA;
Financial literacy services; and
Career readiness activities,
including assistance with resume
writing and/or interviewing.
Attachment (official PDF: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/advisories/UIPL/2018/UIPL_8-18_Attachment%20B_acc.pdf)
Attachment B: Final Fiscal Year 2018 Allotments
FY 2018 Funding
FY 2018 Remaining
FY 2018 Total Award Previously Dispersed
Allotment
(Bridge Funds)*
Alabama $795,330 $353,691 $441,639
Alaska $277,095 $182,707 $94,388
Arizona $708,657 $459,804 $248,853
Arkansas $433,614 $361,034 $72,580
California $12,373,884 $7,502,794 $4,871,090
Colorado $396,880 $88,626 $308,254
Connecticut $1,485,532 $945,032 $540,500
Delaware $579,550 $331,106 $248,444
District Of Columbia $617,055 $283,690 $333,365
Florida $5,542,805 $2,548,298 $2,994,507
Georgia $815,320 $569,738 $245,582
Hawaii $996,725 $110,000 $886,725
Idaho $700,235 $269,241 $430,994
Illinois $1,332,756 $592,690 $740,066
Indiana $4,340,128 $2,252,913 $2,087,215
Iowa $1,516,589 $674,443 $842,146
Kansas $717,576 $310,403 $407,173
Kentucky $882,015 $562,241 $319,774
Louisiana $1,645,839 $756,673 $889,166
Maine $0 $0 $0
Maryland $1,182,411 $761,518 $420,893
Massachusetts $5,807,643 $2,793,985 $3,013,658
Michigan $2,107,622 $937,281 $1,170,341
Minnesota $1,448,417 $839,548 $608,869
Mississippi $960,544 $435,420 $525,124
Missouri $756,048 $332,568 $423,480
Montana $637,494 $123,650 $513,844
Nebraska $493,213 $226,754 $266,459
Nevada $2,067,585 $1,207,747 $859,838
New Hampshire $1,292,886 $634,383 $658,503
New Jersey $1,884,565 $912,290 $972,275
New Mexico $577,576 $256,646 $320,930
New York $19,226,238 $10,163,281 $9,062,957
North Carolina $4,308,865 $2,736,506 $2,422,359
North Dakota $474,250 $258,487 $215,763
Attachment B: Final Fiscal Year 2018 Allotments
FY 2018 Funding
FY 2018 Remaining
FY 2018 Total Award Previously Dispersed
Allotment
(Bridge Funds)*
Ohio $3,212,411 $1,427,894 $1,784,517
Oklahoma $927,406 $654,656 $272,750
Oregon $4,593,348 $3,634,562 $958,786
Pennsylvania $1,472,449 $654,814 $817,635
Puerto Rico $317,827 $130,057 $187,770
Rhode Island $1,099,021 $505,274 $593,747
South Carolina $1,243,856 $551,976 $691,880
South Dakota $346,354 $149,105 $197,249
Tennessee $2,606,815 $1,117,596 $1,489,219
Texas $7,478,542 $3,373,369 $4,105,173
Utah $1,722,218 $567,319 $1,154,899
Vermont $691,263 $429,259 $262,004
Virgin Islands $335,988 $95,324 $240,664
Virginia $1,619,474 $997,287 $622,187
Washington $9,151,468 $3,678,405 $5,473,063
West Virginia $325,677 $143,968 $181,709
Wisconsin $2,887,981 $1,355,691 $1,532,290
Wyoming $0 $0 $0
Totals $119,415,040 $61,241,744 $58,173,296
* These totals include completed and in process requests as of 6/22/18.
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