The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 included new language specifically authorizing grants to states to administer an expanded RESEA program for claimants identified for services through the profiling system.
The increased authority was developed through discussions with state workforce agencies, US DOL and UWC. The new program increases the focus of the UI program on integrity and on returning UI claimants to work with the goal of reducing the duration of unemployment compensation through reemployment.
The actual language may be found in the act athttps://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Bipartisan%20Budget%20Act%20of%202018.pdf . See pages 153-167
Below is a summary of the legislation provided by the House Ways and Means Committee.
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The stated purpose of the new legislation is to accomplish the following goals:
(1) To improve employment outcomes of individuals that receive unemployment compensation and to reduce the average duration of receipt of such compensation through employment.
(2) To strengthen program integrity and reduce improper payments of unemployment compensation by States through the detection and prevention of such payments to individuals who are not eligible for such compensation.
(3) To promote alignment with the broader vision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) of increased program integration and service delivery for job seekers, including claimants for unemployment compensation.
(4) To establish reemployment services and eligibility assessments as an entry point for individuals receiving unemployment compensation into other workforce system partner programs.
UWC has long supported improved efforts to assist UI claimants in searching for work and connecting unemployed workers to employers who are hiring. We have also supported improved integrity efforts to guard against identity theft, false claims and erroneous payments early in the claims administration process.
The effect of this language is to enable Congress to appropriate additional funds for REA/RES as outlined in the expanded authority. Actual increases will come through the appropriations process.
