BAM claimant questionnaire and job contact information

Employment and Training Administration Advisory System
U.S. Department of Labor
Washington, D.C. 20210
Classification: OWS
Correspondence symbol: DPM
Issue date: January 17, 2002

DIRECTIVE: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 10-02

TO: ALL STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES

FROM: GRACE A. KILBANE
Administrator
Office of Workforce Security

SUBJECT: BAM Requirements: Altering the Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) Claimant Questionnaire Regarding Work Search

RESCISSIONS: None
EXPIRATION DATE: January 31, 2003

Purpose. To reiterate BAM program requirements with respect to altering of the claimant questionnaire.

References. ET handbook No. 395, ET Handbook No. 396

Background. The BAM program is a tool designed for use by federal and SWA staff in identifying errors and their causes, and in correcting and tracking solutions to these problems. Intensive investigations are conducted on the sampled cases in each SWA to determine whether payments were made to eligible claimants, and in the proper amount. During this review process, the claimant questionnaire becomes a focal point of the investigation, and provides information relative to the propriety of the payment as well as identifying other eligibility issues. Chapter VI, Section 4.a of ET Handbook No. 395 sets forth the requirements for the BAM claimant questionnaire, stating that "States must alter the questionnaire to satisfy unique aspects of their laws. Departmental approval must be obtained prior to making any change to the questionnaire which alters the content." (See ET Handbook No. 396, chapter II-13).

Methods and Procedures reviews and reviews of completed cases have revealed that in response to changes in their state law and policy that remove mandatory work search provisions, a number of states have altered or eliminated the question on the questionnaire pertaining to job contacts made during "[illegible in source] Week" (the paid week that has been sampled). The Department does not agree with this change because compliance with state work search provisions is not the sole information derived from the claimant's response to the question. Verification of job contacts often reveals potential issues relating to availability, [illegible in source] of work and other eligibility issues. Regardless of state work search provisions, if the claimant indicates that he or she had a job contact, the investigator must pursue the other possible issues.

Policy. Work search information remains an integral part of the investigation, even in states where the law and policy do not require the claimant to seek work. The claimant is required to indicate all job contacts made for "The week," and the investigator must verify the contacts and code the results in the data collection instrument ([illegible in source]). Any requests to deviate from the prescribed claimant questionnaire format should be submitted to the appropriate regional office. The regional office then forwards the request to the National Office for review and approval. States will receive a written response.

Action Required. SWA Administrators are requested to provide this information to appropriate staff and other interested parties.

Inquiries. Direct questions to your regional office.