DIRECTIVE	:	UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 03-85
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	BERT LEWIS Administrator for Regional Management
SUBJECT	:	Proposed Data Elements for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Quality Control (QC) Program

1. Purpose 

   1. To transmit proposed data elements for use in the UI QC benefits program.

   2. To request comments and suggestions from States to assure optimum possible usage, at the National and State level, for each proposed data element.

2. Reference. UIPL 19-84

3. Background. UIPL 19-84 outlined the overall objectives of the UI QC program and indicated that the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) would solicit State participation in the design and implementation phases of the UI QC effort. Attached is a revised version of an earlier paper incorporating comments and suggestions received from a State/National Office workgroup, convened August 8 and 9, 1984.

   QC will build upon the existing Random Audit (RA) program currently operational in forty-six (46) States. Plans are to gather more comprehensive data on payment errors in UI benefits with their types and causes, and other aspects of the UI benefit process. The QC program will eventually encompass the UI revenue (Tax) program and will provide comprehensive information for research and longitudinal studies.

   Objectives for the use of UI QC Data Elements 

   sufficient information will be collected in the QC program to generate information adequate for a wide variety of potential uses:

   • Resolution of results from sampled QC cases

   • Increases in the level of precision for measuring errors

   • Analysis of error causes identified in support of State corrective action planning and implementation

   • Assessment of corrective action plan results

   • Related QC efforts such as quality appraisal redesign, development of error prone profiles and substitution of QC data for certain required reports.

   In addition, it is intended that States will have the option to supplement QC data elements with data items needed to meet States specific analysis and/or policy formulation purposes. Consistent with anticipated uses of QC data, this paper displaying the proposed data elements has been developed to guide the initial selection of the data to be included in the QC data file. Input from States concerning data usage, and data analysis is essential to this process. The attached paper provides the necessary foundation for discussion in the selection of QC data elements. State data needs, along with an analysis of the utility of current RA data and other data sources, should be considered. To reduce resources needed to manually compile existing data the QC design anticipates automating as much of the process as possible through the use of microcomputers and telecommunications.

4. Action Required. State Administrators are requested to:

   1. Provide comments, suggestions or ideas concerning the proposed data elements in accordance with proposed QC objectives within 30 days from the date of this UIPL. Since the QC program will encompass the spectrum of UI operations we ask that UI Directors, as well as staff from Random Audit, Research, Data Processing and any other appropriate units be involved in developing, comments.

   2. Send comments to the National Office (attn: TEUQ).

5. Inquiries. Direct questions to James Van Erden or John Sharkey on (202) 376-6704.

6. Attachment. Proposed Data Element Paper