Rapid Response Orientation

1. Rapid Response Orientation January 13, 2010

2. A method of ensuring that workers facing potential layoff have access to readjustment services that will enable them to transition to new employment. What is Rapid Response?

3. Passed by Congress in 1998 to create a new comprehensive, customer-focused, demand-driven workforce system. Rapid Response services are mandated under this legislation. WIA Workforce Investment Act

4. Work Registration UI Claims Assessments Job Search Labor Market Information Referrals Career Counseling Recruitment & Training Events Customized Workshops & Seminars Training Supportive Services TAA Reemployment Services

5. Skills Assessments There are many types of assessments to measure your skills, interests, and abilities. • LaWorks.net • Local Business and Career Solutions Center

6. Labor Market Information Employment projections allow you to see which occupations and industries are currently in high demand and those expected to grow the fastest.

7. Referrals Referrals are issued to workers to receive services from other partners and community-based agencies. By leveraging and coordinating resources, more services can be directed at the effort to help workers and their families adjust to job loss and re-enter the workforce.

8. Career Counseling Meet one-on-one with a counselor regarding your career choices. A counselor can help you explore your options available based upon skills, training, and work history.

9. Recruitment and Training Event • A Recruitment Event is an opportunity to gather local labor market representatives who have job vacancies that target the occupational interest of the affected workers. • A Training Event provides workers with the opportunity to obtain information for skills enhancement to become more competitive in the workforce.

10. Workshops & Seminars • Customized workshops and seminars are based upon survey results, needs of workers, and the most convenient time. • Workshops provide the job search skills needed to secure new employment. • Workshops also offer life skills strategies needed during the transitional period between jobs.

11. LaWorks.net • File for Unemployment Insurance. • Post up to 10 different resumes. • Create Job Search alerts for that deliver job openings to your system message box. • Create a personal file folder. • Save information you’ve retrieved. • Utilize assessment tools. • Create customized cover letters.

12. Types of Training • Basic • Occupational • Employer-Based • Customized • Readiness • Skills Upgrading • Retraining • Entrepreneurship

13. Emergency financial assistance needed to participate in reemployment activities, such as: Child Care Assistance Transportation Assistance Housing Assistance Supportive Services

14. Unemployment Insurance • Provides temporary assistance between $10.00 -$247.00 weekly to workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. • Benefit amounts are paid as a result of past employment. • Employers pay the cost of UI through payroll taxes. Employees do not pay any part of their wages to finance the program.

15. Requirements of U.I. • Reason of separation must be through no fault of your own. • Physically able and available for work and actively seeking work. • Must have earned enough wages in your base period. (Approximately 18 months; First 4 of the last 5 quarters).

16. UI Monetary Determination 1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr. Sufficient wages to compute the monetary entitlement must be met in order to qualify for Unemployment Insurance. Entitlement is computed by using the first four out of the last five completed calendar quarters before the Sunday in which the claim is filed. Each Year is divided into four 3-month quarters:

17. Filing and Claiming Benefits • To collect unemployment insurance, you must follow a 2-step process. • - file for your benefits • - claim your benefits each week that you are eligible. • File your unemployment insurance claim: • Online: www.laworks.net • By Telephone: 1-866-783-5567

18. Filing for Benefits Online You will need the following information to file your claim at www.laworks.net: • Social Security Number • Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all employers from the last 18 months • Name and local number of union hall (if applicable) • Alien registration card (if applicable)

19. Claiming Weekly Benefits • You may claim your weekly benefits online at www.laworks.net or through the automated phone system at 1-866-783-5567. Carefully follow all instructions given to you by the system. • You may create your four-digit PIN number online. • Do not lose your PIN – you will need it for future calls.

20. Vacation and Severance Pay • Vacation and Severance Pay are deducted from unemployment benefits and the deduction ordinarily begins after the last day worked. • If you receive both vacation and severance, the payments will run concurrently (at the same time). • The deductions continue for the period of time the payment represents. • If the weekly payments of vacation/severance pay are more than your Unemployment Insurance weekly benefit amount, you will not be eligible for benefits that week.

21. Vacation and Severance Pay • If the payments are less than your Unemployment Insurance benefits, you could qualify for a partial payment or serve a week of waiting. • While the vacation pay law will disqualify you for benefits for a particular week, the severance pay law has a double penalty.

22. Vacation and Severance Pay • A disqualified severance week (if claimed) counts as a paid week of Unemployment Insurance benefits. • Not only will you be disqualified for benefits for any week you receive excessive severance and try to claim benefits, but your maximum number of weeks of benefits available to you will also be reduced by one week.

23. U.I. Common Questions & Answers How are benefits paid? Weekly UI benefit payments are received through your choice of direct deposit OR debit card. You will receive further information concerning this in the Benefits Rights Handbook which will be sent to you after your claim is filed. The handbook can also be downloaded at www.laworks.net Are UI benefits taxable? Any UI benefits you receive are taxable income. You will be issued form 1099g at the end of January showing the amount of benefits paid to you, as well as any federal income tax withheld at the time the benefits were paid.

24. U.I. Common Questions & Answers What if I live in another state? No matter in which state you may have worked, or in which state you may now live, you can file your UI claim through the Unemployment Insurance Call Center at 1-866-783-5567. The Call Center Personnel will assist you in determining against which state you should file such as a Combined Wage Claim (CWC) or Interstate Claim.

25. U.I. Common Questions & Answers • You must be able, available and actively seeking work. • Able to work and earn 1/2 of weekly benefits or $50.00. • You must create and use a 4-digit PIN number to claim your benefits with Easy Call. • Claim weekly benefits on Sunday through LaWorks or 1-866-783-5567. • Perform 1 work-search contact weekly and maintain documentation. • Submit Eligibility Review Form when requested. • Any problems or issues with your claim must be addressed with the Unemployment Call Center (1-866-783-5567) and not at your local office.

26. Question & Answer Session