On February 2, 2024, USDOL released a check list for UI Modernization Reports to be submitted by states implementing UI Modernization projects. ETA 9177 Report (Pre-Implementation Planning Checklist Report Version 1) through July 31, 2026. See Extension of the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) 9177 Report (Pre-Implementation Planning Checklist Report Version 1) for State Unemployment Insurance (UI) Information Technology (IT) Modernization Projects (dol.gov)

We encourage employer representatives, states, and SIDES representatives to actively engage in the development and implantation of UI Modernization projects. We have included a session that will address UI Modernization, SIDES and systems issues at the National UI Issues Conference in Spokane Washington, June 26- 28, 2024. Click here to register online

The list of critical areas identified in the enhanced ETA 9177 Report is comprised of the following eleven (11) Project Categories:

  1. Functionality and Workarounds
  2. External Alternate Access Options and Usability Issues Addressed
  3. Policies and Procedures
  4. Technical Preparation for System Implementation
  5. Call Center/Customer Service Operations
  6. Business Process
  7. Help Desk
  8. Management Oversight
  9. Vendor Support/Communications
  10. Communication Processes and Procedures
  11. LMI Federal Reporting Functions

The UI PL calls for completion of a list of reported check list items prior to the implementation of UI Modernization projects, with exceptions for some system updates. Employer related check list items are below. All Tax functions have been fully tested (unless work around(s) have been planned for and tested), including, but not limited to:

1.2.1. Employer Registration: Updates to Employer Registration;

1.2.2. Employer liability determinations, including reimbursable employers and employer status change;

1.2.3. Employer audit;

1.2.4. Tax rate computation;

1.2.5. Employer delinquency enforcement;

1.2.6. Employer tax and wage report and input processing;

1.2.7. Tax collections;

1.2.8. Tax refunds/overpayments;

1.2.9. New business registration;

1.2.10. Quarterly tax filing/data entry;

1.5.6. State Information Data Exchange System interface with Employers;

1.5.7. Other external interfaces and extracts, such as those required to retrieve wage record data and quarterly employment and wages statistics (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), and Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics) microdata, and automatic cross matches for identity or other integrity purposes;

4.2.5. Spot checks have been completed for particular areas of interest (such as: overpayments, certifications, employer charging, ICON Billing (IB6), and accounting balances);

6.7.3. Appeals staff (the number of appeals may increase following a conversion as a result of newly automated processes which may impact claimants’ benefits or employers’ liability);

10.2.1. Employer and Claimant outreach regarding roll-out of new system;

11.2.3. Any changes to the reporting responsibilities of employers’ have been developed in consultation with LMI and the outreach plan to employers has been shared with LMI