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Unemployment claims for temporary 2020 census workers
Summary ETA told state workforce agencies to expect unemployment claims from temporary workers hired for the 2020 census. It assigned Federal Identification Code 914 for benefits paid to those temporary workers, while permanent Census Bureau employees remained under Code 450. ETA's listing still marks the letter Active, but its printed expiration date was December 31, 2022.
Document
Federal guidance
Agency
U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Document number
UIPL No. 3-16
Date issued
November 19, 2015
Status
Unknown
ETA's listing marks this letter Active, but its PDF prints an expiration date of December 31, 2022; the guidance concerns temporary employment for the 2020 census.
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
ADVISORY SYSTEM CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OUI/DFAS
Washington, D.C. 20210 DATE
November 19, 2015
ADVISORY: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 3-16
TO: STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES
FROM: ERIC SELEZNOW /s/ for PORTIA WU
Assistant Secretary
SUBJECT: Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees Process for the 2020
Decennial Census
1. Purpose. To provide a new Federal Identification Code (FIC) for the U.S. Bureau of the
Census (Census Bureau) and inform state workforce agencies (SWAs) of the large influx of
claimants expected as a result of the 2020 decennial census.
2. Background. The Census Bureau is mandated to count the population of the United States
every ten years. The next decennial census will be conducted in 2020. To assist in the effort,
the Census Bureau hires temporary workers around the nation.
Beginning in 2016 and running through 2022, the Census Bureau will hire and release
temporary employees for work on the 2020 census. In 2016, Houston, Texas and Los
Angeles, California will host census tests. The sites for tests in 2017 and 2018 have not yet
been determined. The total number of employees hired for these tests is approximated at
10,000.
In 2019, between 200 - 300 temporary census offices will open around the country in
preparation for decennial operations. During the 2020 census itself, nationwide hiring is
expected to peak at 400,000, with employment in individual states expected to range from
1,000 to 50,000 employees. Many of these temporary employees are expected to be
separated from employment during the months of May, June, and July, 2020.
Temporary services performed for the Census Bureau in connection with the decennial
census constitute Federal service for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees
(UCFE) purposes. The majority of these temporary employees are expected to be released
for “lack of work” after their work is completed, and many of these individuals will file
UCFE claims. For unemployment insurance program purposes, these temporary employees
should be designated as working under a unique FIC.
3. New Federal Identification Code Number. The Department of Labor (Department),
Employment and Training Administration, Office of Unemployment Insurance has assigned
FIC 914 for the Bureau’s temporary workers for the 2020 decennial census, effective
November 1, 2015. The Department deactivated FIC 913, which was the FIC for temporary
RESCISSIONS EXPIRATION DATE
None December 31, 2022
workers for the 2010 census, so this FIC should no longer be used for any reporting purposes.
SWAs should continue to charge UCFE benefits for permanent employees at the Census
Bureau to FIC 450.
Request for Separation and Wage Information should be sent to:
Bureau of Census - 2020 decennial census
C/O Equifax Workforce Solutions
P.O. Box 66945
St. Louis, MO 63166
Attn: Jennifer Penny/Phone (800) 366-6660 Ext. 2598
Quarterly detailed listing for benefit charges should be sent to:
Bureau of Census - 2020 decennial census
C/O Equifax Workforce Solutions
P.O. Box 66945
St. Louis, MO 63166
Attn: Opie Brooks/Phone (800) 366-6660 Ext. 2147
4. Action Requested. State Administrators are requested to:
a. Provide the information in this UIPL to the appropriate staff; and
b. Ensure that UCFE benefits paid to temporary 2020 census workers are properly charged
to FIC 914.
5. Inquiries. Please direct questions to the appropriate Regional Office.
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