Continuation of unemployment insurance workload validation

U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
Washington, D.C. 20210

Classification: UI
Correspondence symbol: TEURA
Issue date: March 4, 1996
Directive: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 11-96
To: ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
From: MARY ANN WYRSCH
Director, Unemployment Insurance Service
Subject: Continuation of Unemployment Insurance (UI) Workload Validation

Purpose. To inform States of the status of UI Workload Validation.

Background. Beginning in 1993, a team of senior State Employment Security Agency (SESA) managers and Unemployment Insurance Service (UIS) staff known as the Performance Enhancement Workgroup (PEWG) developed the Framework for a comprehensive new closed-loop system for helping ensure continuous improvement in UI operational performance. This new system, called UI Performs, is described in UIPL 41-95, issued August 21, 1995, to solicit comments from SESAs. The UI Performs design is now being refined in the light of responses to UIPL 41-95; the system will be phased in over 3-4 years as the various components are completed.

When complete and fully operational, UI Performs will comprise a renewed affirmation of long-standing principles for Federal-State cooperation; a redesigned process for operational planning and the execution of improvement activities; various mechanisms to ensure that performance in key areas meets or exceeds certain minimum levels; and the redesign of many performance measurements plus the regular validation of key performance measures. The measures were selected to enable the UI system's success to be judged by how well it serves its ultimate customers--claimants and employers. Most of the data used to construct existing and new UI Performs measures are already in State databases; UI Performs should not appreciably increase measurement effort overall.

The measurement redesign aspect embraces the results of three initiatives which predated UI Performs: Revenue Quality Control, which developed new measures for tax performance to replace those previously gathered under the Quality Appraisal (QA) system; the Performance Measurement Review (PMR) project, which updated QA benefit payment timeliness and quality measures; and data validation. The team designing UI Performs also proposed substantial changes in the Benefits Quality Control (BQC) system for measuring benefit payment accuracy, including the assessment of the accuracy of decisions to deny eligibility.

Transition From Workload Validation to Data Validation. This issuance pertains to the continuance of current Workload Validation activities until such time that the transition to a more comprehensive approach to Data Validation is complete. Plans for the implementation of Data Validation along with guidance to the Regions and the States are being developed. In the interim, it is essential to continue to ensure the validity of the workload data that currently is being reported, particularly since the data are used not only to finance State UI program operations but to provide vital economic information as well.

The National office is currently reviewing Workload Validation plans for Fiscal Year 1996. All workload items normally scheduled will be validated with the exception of nonmonetary determinations. This is due to the change in definition that will be effective with the implementation of the new reporting instructions. States may, however, validate nonmonetary determinations if they feel it is appropriate.

Questions. Address all questions to Wayne Gordon on 202-219-5922.