Unemployed workers in Iowa soon will be accessing a new system in order to process their unemployment insurance claims and search for jobs.
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) announced Tuesday, May 27, that its decades-old system would temporarily go dark at the end of the day – making Tuesday the last day that any initial or weekly claim could be filed under IWD’s current unemployment system.
The system will be replaced by a new, combined and modernized system that takes effect Tuesday, June 3. Claimants are being warned that the claims system and other existing functions on iowaworks.gov will be down between Wednesday, May 28, and Monday, June 2. No new or weekly claims will be able to be filed during the period, and no new accounts will be added in iowaworks.gov.
“For several years, IWD has been working hard to improve the unemployment process for Iowans and make navigating it as easy as possible so they can focus on what matters most – finding a promising career that matches their skills and goals,” IWD Executive Director Beth Townsend said in the release.
The new unemployment system goes live on iowaworks.gov on June 3. Once live, claimants will be able to file initial or weekly applications and claim any benefits missed during the downtime.
IWD stressed that Iowans still will be able to receive career-related services at IowaWORKS centers across the state.
New system offers ‘centralized location’
According to IWD, Iowans have needed to use multiple websites and accounts to complete the unemployment process and find new work up to now. But the new system for the first time creates one centralized location to complete all unemployment steps on iowaworks.gov. It will allow Iowans to file a claim, participate in reemployment activities, and find new employment.
For the past few weeks, IWD has been providing resources, system details, and instructions to claimants and employers on the June launch. For more details about this once-in-a-generation change, visit workforce.iowa.gov/ui-modernization.
The new system simplifies steps and improves the user experience while also improving the efficiency for IWD staff by automating many processes that currently are performed manually. In addition, the hours that Iowans are able to file claims have also been expanded.
“Modernizing our unemployment system is the culmination of a lot of thoughtful work, and we’re excited to combine our systems in one central location on iowaworks.gov,” Ms. Townsend added. “Once live, this system will greatly enhance the experience for both individuals and employers and will help place them both in positions that will ultimately benefit our entire workforce.”
Throughout May, IWD has been preparing employers and claimants for a scheduled downtime taking place just prior to the new system’s launch. The scheduled downtime serves as a security measure that allows the agency to transfer all data and complete the system transition.
When the new system goes live, any claimants that did not file prior to the downtime will be able to immediately file retroactive claims on the new, simplified system.
Improved security
With such a significant change, IWD expects that there will be a transition period as Iowans become used to the new process. However, the agency is confident it will greatly improve the user experience, simplify tasks, and strengthen the security of Iowans’ information.
Iowaworks.gov currently serves both as the home of Iowa’s largest jobs bank and as a site for career-related services – including services for those who are not currently unemployed.
After the site’s capabilities expand June 3, users of iowaworks.gov also will see enhanced security across all workforce services. All Iowans currently receiving unemployment benefits already use ID.me.
At some point after launch, the site will begin requiring all users — including those who are just searching for jobs — to verify their identity through ID.me to ensure that personal information is protected. (IWD will announce more details in the future.)
IWD has created a number of resources for both claimants and employers and has trained staff members to prepare for the launch. The resources include:
- Information, Resources, and Login Instructions for Claimants – Iowans will now be able to file a claim, register to work and manage all documents and activities from one central location on iowaworks.gov.
- Information, Resources, and Login Instructions for Employers – Iowa’s businesses will still be required to use MyIowaUI (as they do today) to register their unemployment tax accounts and make payments. However, iowaworks.gov will now be used to manage notices of claims, appeals, and other functions based on claims filed in the IowaWORKS system.
For more, visit workforce.iowa.gov/ui-modernization.
