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Acceptable military separation reasons for ex-servicemember UI
Summary ETA updated the military separation reasons states may accept when deciding Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers claims. It also explained how states should handle a DD Form 214 reason that substantially, though not verbatim, matches an accepted reason. The letter rescinded UIPL 09-10.
Document
Federal guidance
Agency
U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Document number
UIPL No. 30-20
Date issued
September 24, 2020
Status
Active
ETA’s listing marks this letter Active, and its PDF prints “Expiration Date: Continuing.” It rescinds UIPL 09-10.
Status last verified October 24, 2026
Topics
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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 Unemployment Insurance
ADVISORY SYSTEM CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OUI/DUIO
Washington, D.C. 20210 DATE
September 24, 2020
ADVISORY: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 30-20
TO: STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES
FROM: JOHN PALLASCH
Assistant Secretary
SUBJECT: “Acceptable” Narrative Reasons for Separation Used in the Unemployment
Compensation for Ex-servicemembers (UCX) Program and Processing
Discrepancies.
1. Purpose. To provide an updated consolidated list of “acceptable” narrative reasons for
separation from military service for UCX qualifying purposes; and to provide states with
procedures to follow when unable to clarify narrative reasons for separation with the military.
2. Action Requested. Administrators should distribute this directive and the attachment to
appropriate staff.
3. Summary and Background.
a. Summary – The attachments to this Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL)
provide the acceptable narrative reasons for separation from military service for UCX
qualifying purposes.
b. Background – States administer the UCX program on behalf of the Federal government
under agreements with the U.S. Department of Labor (the Department). Under these
agreements, States must follow the Department’s guidance in operating the program. In
general, ex-servicemembers must be honorably discharged and complete their first full
term of service in order to qualify for UCX. Effective October 1, 1993, all military
branches began using a standard list of narrative reasons for separation from service,
which is reflected on the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
(DD Form 214). This standard list is used when an ex-servicemember does not complete
a first full term of service, but has met the other requirements for "Federal service"
under 5 U.S.C. 8521(a)(1). The list ensures states use the same terminology used by all
military branches to simplify and expedite the processing of UCX claims. Periodically,
the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) updates its separation reasons. When this
happens, the Department publishes an updated list of “acceptable” narrative reasons for
separation that states must use in making determinations of UCX eligibility.
RESCISSIONS EXPIRATION DATE
UIPL NO 09-10 Continuing
DOD has recently updated its narrative reasons for separation. The Department, in
consultation with the DOD, has finalized the standardized list of “acceptable” narrative
reasons for separation for UCX qualifying purposes that states should use when
determining UCX eligibility.
The Department instructs states, in ET Handbook No. 384, Handbook on
Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers (HB No. 384), that the narrative
reasons for separation listed on the DD Form 214 must match, verbatim, with one of
the “acceptable” narrative reasons for separation published by the Department.
However, to ensure ex-servicemembers are paid benefits when due and to expedite
resolution of discrepancies on the narrative reason listed on the DD Form 214, the
Department is modifying the instruction in HB No. 384. The new instructions address
instances when the narrative reason provided on the DD Form 214 is not “verbatim,”
but substantially matches an “acceptable” narrative reason for separation for UCX
qualifying purposes provided in this UIPL. We anticipate completing the handbook
updates in the near future.
In this context, a narrative separation reason will substantially match if:
the reason on the DD Form 214 has the same meaning as one of the
“acceptable” narrative reasons for separation (i.e., different words are used,
but the meaning appears to be the same);
there the reason the narrative separation reason does not match is due to
typographical errors in the narrative reason on the DD Form 214, but the
errors do not change the meaning;
the narrative separation reason contains “extra” words that do not make sense
or appear to have been included by mistake (e.g., both “officer” and “enlisted”
are used when it is clear only one of them apply based on the pay grade); or
the narrative separation reason appears to be missing obvious words (e.g.,
DD Form 214 indicates “Early Retirement” but does not include “From
Service”) that can be inferred.
4. Instructions.
a. New “Acceptable” Narrative Reasons for Separation. DOD has advised the Department
that there are several new or modified reasons used for military separations. Block 28
of the DD Form 214 contains the narrative reason for separation. After consultation
with the DOD, the Department has determined which reasons should be included in the
list of “acceptable” narrative reasons for separation for UCX purposes. There are two
attachments to this UIPL. Attachment I provides the new “Acceptable” Narrative
Reasons for Separation along with a summary of whether or not the narrative is new or
modified. Attachment II provides a comparison of the “Acceptable” Narrative Reasons
for Separation found in UIPL No. 09-10 and the “Acceptable” Narrative Reasons for
Separation found in this UIPL.
2
b. New Procedures for Resolving Minor Discrepancies between the Narrative Reasons for
Separation Entered on the DD Form 214 and the Official “Acceptable” Narrative
Reasons for Separation Provided by the Department.
If the narrative separation reason provided on the DD Form 214 substantially matches a
reason on the “acceptable” narrative reasons for separation UIPL provided by the
Department, states are to follow the instructions below:
1. Send a message to the military branch (via the 843 process or the process in the
Military-State Data Exchange Service) to advise the military that:
a. The narrative reason provided on the DD Form 214 does not match
verbatim one of the reasons listed on the “acceptable” narrative reasons for
separation agreed upon by DOD and the Department;
b. The reason listed on the DD Form 214 must match verbatim one of the
reasons on the “acceptable” narrative reasons for separation UIPL that the
DOD and the Department agreed to, or the ex-servicemember will be
unable to use the military wages to establish a UCX claim;
c. There is an “acceptable” narrative reason that closely matches the reason
provided on the DD Form 214 and provide the military with the proposed
“acceptable” narrative reason for separation that most closely matches the
narrative separation reason provided on the DD Form 214; and
d. The state is requesting the military branch to confirm whether the proposed
narrative separation reason in, “c” above, can be used (instead of the
narrative reason provided on the DD Form 214) to process the UCX claim.
2. If the military branch authorizes the state to use the proposed “acceptable”
narrative reasons for separation (provided from the UIPL) in place of the one on
the DD Form 214, process the UCX claim using the “acceptable” narrative reason
for separation authorized by the military. Document on the claim that the military
agreed to the use of a different “acceptable” narrative reason for separation.
3. If the military branch does not authorize the state to use the “acceptable” narrative
reasons for separation (provided in the UIPL), contact the Department’s UCX
Regional Office program lead and request that the Department follow up with the
military branch. The Department will follow up with the military branch and
provide a final response regarding whether or not the proposed “acceptable”
narrative reason for separation can be used to determine eligibility for that
individual case.
5. Inquiries. Please direct inquiries to the appropriate Regional Office.
6. References.
5 U.S.C. 8521(a)(1) (https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/8521);
3
20 Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter V, Part 614 (https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-
idx?SID=ac956c6fb4f551913075bed00aa183ba&mc=true&node=pt20.3.614&rgn=div5);
ET Handbook No. 384, Handbook on Unemployment Compensation for Ex-
Servicemembers (UCX) (https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=465);
and
UIPL No. 09-10, Acceptable Narrative Reasons for Separation for the Unemployment
Compensation for Ex-servicemembers (UCX) program, issued January 15, 2010,
(https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2845).
7. Attachments.
Attachment I: “Acceptable” Narrative Reasons for Separation for UCX Qualifying
Purposes
Attachment II: Explanation of changes to “Acceptable” Narrative Reasons for
Separation from UIPL No. 09-10
4
Attachment I
“Acceptable” Narrative Reasons for Separation for UCX Qualifying Purposes
The following are “acceptable” narrative reasons for separation meeting the requirements of
5 U.S.C. 8521(a)(1)(B)(ii)(I) through (IV) and 20 CFR part 614.
Acceptable Narrative Reasons that DO NOT Require 365 Status
Days Of Continuous Service
Alcohol Rehabilitation Failure No longer requires365 Days Of
Continuous Service
Attend Civilian School No change
Civil Office* New
Completion of Required Active Service No change
Condition, Not A Disability No change
Defective Enlistment Agreement No change
Disability Temporary IDES* New
Disability Temporary Legacy DES** New
Disability, Aggravation IDES New
Disability, Aggravation Legacy DES New
Disability, Combat Related, IDES New
Disability, Existed Prior To Service, Med Board IDES New
Disability, Existed Prior To Service, Med Board Legacy DES New
Disability, Existed Prior To Service, PEB Legacy DES New
Disability, Existed Prior To Service, PEB, IDES New
Disability, Not In Line Of Duty, Legacy DES New
Disability, Not In Line Of Duty IDES New
Disability, Other IDES New
Disability, Other Legacy DES New
Disability, Permanent IDES New
Disability, Permanent Legacy DES New
Disability, Severance Pay Legacy DES New
Disability, Severance Pay, Combat Related IDES New
Disability, Severance Pay, Combat Related, Non VA New
Recoupable Legacy DES
Disability, Severance Pay, Not Combat Related IDES New
*Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)
**Disability Evaluation System (DES)
Attachment I - 1
Acceptable Narrative Reasons that DO NOT Require 365 Status (cont.)
Days Of Continuous Service (cont.)
Disability, Severance Pay, Not Combat Related, Legacy DES New
Disability, Temporary Legacy DES New
Disability, Temporary IDES New
Drug Rehabilitation Failure No longer requires 365 Days
Of Continuous Service
Early Retirement From Service New
Early Separation* New
Failed Medical/Physical Procurement Standards* New
Force Shaping (Board Selected) No change
Force Shaping—VSP New
Hardship New
Insufficient Retainability (Economic Reasons) No change
Maximum Age New
Non-Retention On Active Duty No longer requires 365 Days
Of Continuous Service
Non-Selection, Permanent Promotion No longer requires 365 Days
Of Continuous Service
Non-Selection, Temporary Promotion No longer requires 365 Days
Of Continuous Service
Parenthood Or Custody Of Minor Children No change
Pregnancy Or Childbirth No change
Reduction In Force No change
Surviving Family Member No change
Surviving Family Member - Sole Survivorship New
Narrative Reasons for Separation, which require 365 Continuous Days of Service BEFORE
being applicable:
Acceptable Narrative Reasons that REQUIRE 365 Days of Status
Continuous Service
Conscientious Objector No change
Ecclesiastical Endorsement No change
Failure To Complete A Commission or Warrant Program No change
Failure To Complete A Course Of Instruction No change
Physical Standards No change
Substandard Performance No change
Unsatisfactory Performance No change
Weight Control Failure No change
Attachment I - 2
Attachment II
Explanation of changes to “Acceptable” Narrative Reasons for Separation from
UIPL No. 09-10
“Acceptable” narrative reasons for separation from UIPL Status of narrative in this
No. 09-10 UIPL
Attend Civilian School No change
Completion of Required Active Service No change
Condition, not a Disability No change
Condition, not a Disability; Involuntary in lieu of a Board Deleted
Conditions, not Disability; Resignation Deleted
Defective Enlistment Agreement No change
Disability, Aggravation Deleted
Disability, Aggravation (Enhanced) Deleted
Disability, Existed Prior to Service, Med Board Deleted
Disability, Existed Prior to Service, Med Board (Enhanced) New
Disability, Existed Prior to Service, PEB Deleted
Disability, Existed Prior to Service, PEB (Enhanced) Deleted
Disability, Not in Line of Duty Deleted
Disability, Not in Line of Duty (Enhanced) Deleted
Disability, Other Deleted
Disability, Other (Enhanced) Deleted
Disability, Permanent Deleted
Disability, Permanent (Enhanced) Deleted
Disability, Severance Pay Deleted
Disability, Severance Pay (Enhanced) Deleted
Disability, Severance Pay, Combat Related Deleted
Disability, Severance Pay, Combat Related (Enhanced) Deleted
Disability, Severance Pay, Non- Combat Deleted
Disability, Severance Pay, Non- Combat Related (Enhanced) Deleted
Disability, Temporary Deleted
Disability, Temporary (Enhanced) Deleted
Erroneous Entry (Other) Deleted
Force Shaping (Board Selected) No change
Force Shaping -VSP (Voluntary Separation Pay) Deleted
Hardship; General Deleted
Hardship; Resignation Allowed due to Support of a Dependent Deleted
Hardship; Servicemember Initiated due to Dependency Deleted
Holiday Early Release Program Deleted
Insufficient Retainability (Economic Reasons) No change
Intradepartmental Transfer Deleted
Medal of Honor Recipient Deleted
Attachment II - 1
Prior “Acceptable” Narrative Reasons for Separation Current Status
(cont.)
Miscellaneous/General Reasons Deleted
Parenthood or Custody of Minor Children No change
Pregnancy or Childbirth No change
Reduction in Force No change
Surviving Family Member No change
Prior Narrative Reasons for Separation, which required 365 Continuous Days of Service
BEFORE being applicable:
Adjustment Disorder Deleted
Alcohol Rehabilitation Failure No longer requires 365 Days
of Continuous Service
Conscientious Objector No change
Disruptive Behavior Disorder Deleted
Drug Rehabilitation Failure No longer requires 365 Days
of Continuous Service
Ecclesiastical Endorsement No change
Erroneous Entry (Alcohol Abuse) Deleted
Erroneous Entry (Drug Abuse) Deleted
Failure to Complete a Commission or Warrant Program No change
Failure to Complete a Course of Instruction No change
Homosexual Conduct (Acts) Deleted
Homosexual Conduct (Marriage or Attempted Marriage) Deleted
Homosexual Conduct (Statement) Deleted
Impulse Control Disorder Deleted
Mental Disorder (other) Deleted
Military Personnel Security Program Deleted
Non-retention on Active Duty Deleted
Non- selection, Permanent Promotion Deleted
Non-selection, Temporary Promotion Deleted
Personal Alcohol Abuse Deleted
Personal Drug Abuse Deleted
Personality Disorder Deleted
Physical Standards No change
Secretarial Authority Deleted
Substandard Performance No change
Unsatisfactory Performance No change
Weight Control Failure No change
Attachment II - 2
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