Changes to UI SIDES Requirements - Are You Complying?

Are you providing complete separation information in response to YOUR claims?

The Unemployment Insurance (UI) SIDES (State Information Data Exchange System) is a web based system that allows employers and third party agencies (TPAs) like Equifax Workforce Solutions to use the electronic transmission of information requests back and forth from UI agencies instead of the typical mail and paper processes so often used. The program is overseen and administered by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), and recently underwent a mandatory upgrade.

NASWA recently announced they were expanding the information required for proper determination in specific separation instances. They have required existing SIDES TPAs like Equifax Workforce Solutions, as well as employers who maintain their own SIDES integration, to provide the additional information to help State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) make a more informed determination earlier in the claim process.

These most recent requirements - which Equifax has complied with fully on behalf of our clients - apply to several separation types within the general involuntary, voluntary, and layoff categories below.

• Involuntary: Performance, Alcohol/Drug cases, and Theft/Falsification

• Voluntary: Failed to return, Dissatisfied, and Health reasons

• Lack of Work: Reasonable Assurance to Return (such as in the case of teachers or others with a designated return to work), and Partial Unemployment

The additional bits of information now required for these issues can potentially lead to more accurate adjudication by SWAs at the initial level of a claim, helping to reduce improper payments and unnecessary appeals and hearings. Since this is such an important benefit for our clients, we were happy to make accommodations in our CaseBuilder™ platform to ask for these additional details to the extent they are available from our clients.

If you want help with your management of the ins and outs of unemployment, including learning how our CaseBuilder™ platform makes providing separation information more intuitive and complete, contact us today for a demo of our Unemployment Cost Management service. We can help you better manage the uncertainty around unemployment claim costs–both in actual taxes and time to process claims. 

The information provided is intended as general guidance and is not intended to convey any tax, benefits, or legal advice. For information pertaining to your company and its specific facts and needs, please consult your own tax advisor or legal counsel. Links to sources may be to third party sites. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites or services.