DWD Announces Initiative to Expand Access to Displaced Hoosier Workers

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Earlier this week, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD)  announced the implementation of measures to expand access for Hoosiers seeking unemployment benefits, training services, and job search assistance.

"Hoosiers are hurting and we're doing everything we can to increase capacity to ensure services are delivered as efficiently as possible," said Teresa Voors, DWD Commissioner. "Despite the increased need in services from a year ago, we are handling 85% of total unemployment claims within seven days and 93% of first-time claims within 21 days," The federal government requests that DWD handle at least 87% of first-time claims within 21 days. 

To speed processing time, DWD is encouraging Hoosiers to (1) watch the unemployment filing tutorial to help them learn how to file a claim and (2) file for benefits online, rather than in person or through the paper voucher process. "Although our system processes online vouchers without any issues within a couple of days, claimants filing paper vouchers experience a delay of approximately three weeks," said Commissioner Voors. "Additionally, we offer an online tutorial that helps claimants understand the questions asked in the filing process."

DWD is assisting WorkOne center Regional Operators to implement the following enhancements:DWD granted $4 million to Regional Operators in December 2008 to hire additional staff and obtain additional services for WorkOne centers to assist with serving dislocated workers. 

DWD implemented an "all-hands on deck" approach where all DWD and WorkOne employees with previous adjudication experience have been reassigned to adjudicate claims to ensure timely decisions.

DWD is launching a second adjudication center for northern operations with additional staff to handle the increase in unemployment claims filing.

DWD and WorkOne Regional Operators are working with other state agencies and local organizations to provide alternative means to obtain wage records traditionally generated at WorkOne centers.

Due to high volume in the Elkhart and South Bend WorkOne centers, DWD is taking these additional measures:

DWD has worked with the Regional Operator to expand WorkOne center hours in both the Elkhart and South Bend centers. Effective January 20 in Elkhart - operation hours will be expanded to: Mon 7-7, Tues-Thurs 8-7, Fri 8-4:30, and Saturday 8-12.  South Bend will adopt these hours effective February 2.

DWD will work with the Regional Operator to open an auxiliary WorkOne center in Elkhart County within the next month. Location and hours will be announced at a later date.

In addition to the 12 additional staff members hired this past July, 17 additional staff members will be hired for the Elkhart and South Bend WorkOne centers. Interested workers may apply at the WorkOne center or through DWD's new online job-finding system, IndianaCareerConnect.com. 

DWD is working with the Elkhart, Wakarusa and Nappanee libraries to employ staff members at the libraries to help Hoosiers file for benefits.