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Changes to Iowa's unemployment system: Here's what you need to know

The program starts next Monday and will offer "extensive" job search assistance to Iowans who are newly unemployed.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Starting next week, the way unemployment cases are handled in Iowa will change, according to the Iowa Workforce Development (IWD).

IWD announced its new Reemployment Case Management (RCM) program in October to address "Iowa's urgent need for more workers in the economy." A Dec. 13 press release emphasizes the "new chapter" on how the agency will handle unemployment cases going forward. 

The program starts next Monday, Jan. 9. and will offer "extensive" job search assistance to Iowans who are newly unemployed. The goal is to get Iowans back to work "more quickly," according to IWD.

Participants will have to "engage" in four reemployment activities per week, up from two.

Some examples of reemployment activities include:

  • Applying for a job
  • Taking a Civil Service exam
  • Attending an IowaWORKS workshop
  • Registering with a placement facility of a school or college
  • Interview for a job

"Unemployment claimants also will face a higher requirement in terms of the amount of weekly reemployment activity that they must perform to maintain unemployment benefits under Reemployment Case Management," IWD added.

IWD says the RCM program will be tailored to Iowa's unemployment process based on "proven national models."

So, how will it work? 

IWD says its 18 "Career Planners" will be assigned to Iowans who are seeking reemployment during the first week of their unemployment claims once the program is implemented. The Career Planners will find training and educational opportunities for claimants to connect them with high-demand careers.

RELATED: Iowa unemployment rate falls to 3.7% in November

RELATED: A record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in November

The Career Planners won't be on their own. 

IWD says they will be assisted with new technology that is being added to Iowa's existing IowaWORKS system, "thereby making it easier to match an unemployment claimant’s work history with the skills in demand by Iowa companies with open jobs."

IWD notes that union workers will be excluded from the RCM program due to Iowa law. 

"Similarly, people who have claimed 13 weeks or more of unemployment benefits (historically, the average length of an unemployment claim in Iowa) will be contacted for participation in RCM," the agency said.

More information on the program can be found on the IWD's website by clicking/tapping here.

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