Narrative: d. 3.

Administration of the Work Test for the State UI System

Individuals receiving unemployment benefits in Georgia must be able to work, available for work, and actively seeking full-time work. Individuals who earned the majority of wages in the base period used to establish the claim doing part-time work, are allowed to restrict their work search to part-time work. The only exceptions to the work search requirements are:

• Individuals with a job attachment. This includes individuals for whom their employer filed a “partial” unemployment claim or individuals with a definite recall to work within six (6) weeks of their last day worked
• Union members in good standing
• Individuals who are approved and enrolled in a Commissioner-approved training program.

The state’s labor exchange system, the WorkSource Georgia Portal, captures a customer’s résumé and job referrals. Should an employer contact GDOL or TCSG’s OWD / WorkSource Georgia staff that a job candidate did not respond to a request for an interview, that claimant is contacted to determine compliance with work search requirements. They are referred to a GDOL UI Advanced Specialist who conducts a Benefit Eligibility Review to determine if the individual is able, available, and actively seeking work.

WorkSource Georgia staff are always on hand to assist claimants with the use of the WorkSource Georgia Portal to include how to view any notices in the portal from employers. In addition, if the customer does not have a résumé, WorkSource Georgia staff will guide individuals through the steps to create one or assist with creating one. All claimants are subject to a work search audit and can be required to report to GDOL for an eligibility review.

During the initial claims filing application, individuals are asked questions regarding their availability. Negative responses require adjudication of the potential availability issue by GDOL claims examiners or services specialists. TCSG-OWD also obtains information within the WorkSource Georgia Portal during ES registration regarding an individual’s availability (e.g. shift, days, salary requirements etc). This information is available to GDOL to assess potential A&A issues (e.g. refusal of suitable work). If an eligibility issue arises while providing employment services, WorkSource Georgia staff refer the case to GDOL UI staff for immediate resolution.

GDOL administers RESEA. During the RESEA appointments, UI eligibility reviews are performed. GDOL staff review the claimant’s work search records and question the individual about availability for work, as well as any barriers to work that they may be facing. During the RESEA appointment, staff ensure claimants are registered on the WorkSource Georgia Portal and will refer RESEA participants to WorkSource Georgia, Wagner-Peyser Staff for additional services (e.g. workshops, job search etc). If during service delivery, WorkSource Georgia Staff identify eligibility issues, the staff will notify RESEA and/or GDOL for a Benefit Eligibility Review.