Tampa Bay Times, U.S. official: Key part of Florida
unemployment system still doesn't work

The Tampa Bay Times recently published article, entitled U.S. official: Key part of Florida unemployment system still doesn't work, contains several inaccuracies.  Set out below are facts for consideration.

Top Five Facts 

1. DEO continues to work to ensure CONNECT performs well and serves claimants and employers.
2. The auto adjudication feature is not “missing;” the auto adjudication functionality that was planned for launch is in place and working.
3. The expiration of federal long-term benefits is not the most significant factor that led to the decreased adjudication caseload.
4. As part of the federal-state partnership, DEO regularly meets with USDOL about the operations of the Unemployment Insurance Program and CONNECT is no exception.
5. DEO has openly documented the initial high-impact defects with the most important reporting functions. These defects have been resolved.

FACT: The auto adjudication function, a part of CONNECT that was launched with the system, is working.  The system was designed to launch with auto adjudication for only a small set of issues.  The March 20 USDOL letter is referring to new auto adjudication functionality, which DEO requested as a change order after the launch of CONNECT.

FACT:  CONNECT, along with the auto adjudication feature required at launch, is working and no high-impact defects remain.   DEO hired additional staff to help with the increased workload and acclimation process that accompanies any major system launch. As CONNECT optimizes over the coming year, DEO will evaluate staffing levels and adjust as necessary to ensure users of the system are timely and accurately served. 

FACT: The expiration of federal long-term benefits is not the most significant factor that led to the decreased adjudication caseload. This decrease is due to multiple factors, the most important being that technical fixes and additional staff allowed DEO to greatly increase adjudication productivity.  Less than 35 percent of all adjudication claims were related to the federal long term unemployment program, but DEO has reduced the adjudication caseload by 95 percent.

FACT: The auto adjudication feature is not “missing;” the auto adjudication functionality that was planned for launch is in place and working.  The USDOL letter references a new feature DEO requested after the launch of CONNECT. 

FACT: The Unemployment Insurance Program is a federal-state partnership, and Florida, like all states, regularly consults with USDOL and other states about program operations.  DEO had many meetings with USDOL about CONNECT both prior to and after launch.  System improvement has resulted from technical fixes to the system, policy changes at the agency, increased staff, increased working hours, improved management practices, and an improving economy with fewer overall claimants. DEO’s ability to respond to technical defects led USDOL, on February 20, 2014, to request that DEO advise California on how to cope with that state’s ongoing issues with a similar modernization project.

FACT: The letter from USDOL does not seek to “expand oversight of the project.” Unemployment Insurance is a federal-state cooperative program, and Florida, like all states, regularly consults with USDOL and other states about program operations, and CONNECT is no exception.  Consistent with this relationship, the letter states “as agreed, DEO will continue to routinely provide information to DOL” and the USDOL plans “to conduct periodic phone calls to continue to monitor work as needed.” In fact, on February 20, USDOL specifically advised that weekly conference calls (begun in January 2014) would no longer be necessary. 

FACT: DEO has openly documented the initial high-impact defects with the most important reporting functions.  These defects have been resolved. Where defects remain for more minor reporting functions, DEO is carefully reviewing each report to ensure all information reported to USDOL is accurate and consistent.

Contact: DEO Communications, 850.617.5600, media@deo.myflorida.com

About DEO

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts.  This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org