CLAIMANT PLACEMENT PROGRAM

Contact: Barbara Korst
Employment Security Department
P.O. Box 9046
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
Telephone: 360.438.4615
E-mail: bkorst@esd.wa.gov

State Website: www.esd.wa.gov

Participation: 78,596 participants were served by the Claimant Placement Program between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.

Who is Served: All unemployment insurance claimants who are identified by a “profiling system” are eligible to participate in the program. Priority is given to people who are likely to exhaust their unemployment benefits, older workers, and potentially long-term unemployed persons.

Program Description: Claimant Placement services include employability and skill assessments, labor market research, résumé assistance, interview skills training and help finding a job. When appropriate, referrals are made to other employment and training providers within WorkSource or outside the system to ensure more intensive services and retraining opportunities are explored to assist the person’s return to work. Participants face a potential denial of benefits if they fail to meet requirements of the program.

Other Program Characteristics: A newly implemented front-end process allows WorkSource to ensure each unemployment insurance (UI) claimant receives the level of service he or she needs—whether it’s help with an unemployment claim, a simple job referral or more-intensive services to move into a new career.

In an effort to actively engage claimants earlier in their claims, most WorkSource offices now contact 100 percent of new UI claimants to request that they attend a WorkSource orientation, which includes a one-on-one meeting with a career counselor.

Program History: The program was authorized by the state Legislature in 1987 to provide early intervention reemployment services to state unemployment insurance claimants. Priority was designated to claimants who were likely to be to become long-term unemployed. Changes were made to the program in subsequent years. In 1993, the program merged with new federal requirements to “profile” claimants most likely to exhaust their UI benefits before returning to work. Reemployment services are currently provided through the WorkSource centers located across the state.

Planning Cycle: Annual

Outcome Measures: Federal, state, and agency measures are entered employment rates, wages at employment and the amount of time it took to return to work after receiving a service. Different methodologies apply for calculating and reporting data.

Funding and Regional Division: Funding is part of the Employment Services Administrative account appropriation from the Legislature to the Employment Security Department. Funds are targeted to maximize technology and tools, as well as provide staff strategically in WorkSource centers throughout the state.

State Funding: $7,633,659 in FY09 (July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009).

Federal Funding: None.

Statutory Authority: State - RCW 50.62 and 50.24.014. Administered by the Employment Security Department.