Unemployment Insurance Filing System Down for Upgrade Starting November 30 Bookmark and Share

November 27, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 27, 2017

Media Contact: Laura Hudson, Maine Department of Labor, 621-5009

Current filing systems will be down for the transition starting 4 p.m. on November 30

AUGUSTA?Maine Department of Labor is launching a new unemployment claims filing system in early December called ReEmployME (ME is pronounced "Maine"). All current unemployment filing systems will be down at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 30 through the new system's anticipated launch on December 6. Claimants are strongly advised to file before 4:00 p.m. on November 30. Those who attempt to file after this time will have to wait until after ReEmployME's launch.

?This new system is the result of years of work in collaboration with other states to create a modern, efficient unemployment system,? stated Governor Paul LePage. ?The focus of unemployment is to get people back to work quickly in a permanent or a temporary bridge job. This system will not only do just that, but it will also save taxpayer money over time because of the ReEmployUSA partnership with other states. ReEmployME is a national model.?

ReEmployME is a faster, more efficient way to file for unemployment insurance benefits. Claimants will find it easier to access information about their claims, update their account, file Weekly Certifications for benefits and enter their required Work Searches.

The Bureau of Unemployment Compensation (BUC) has been communicating about the transition to current claimants and those who file cyclically this time of year. Claimants are advised of the upcoming transition timeline so they can prepare to access the new system after launch and plan for a slight delay in benefit payments.

Prepare for the Transition

Unemployment insurance benefit weeks run Sunday to Saturday. Claimants can first file a claim the Sunday after the benefit week. Claimants are strongly encouraged to file claims for the benefit week ending November 25 before 4:00 p.m. on November 30. Direct deposit and MAP/EPC card benefit payments should appear within 48 hours of processing. Claimants who don?t file by this time must wait until ReEmployME launches to file.

Whether filing a claim online or through the automated phone filing system, claimants must enter their required weekly Work Search online through ReEmployME for the claim to be processed. Maine CareerCenters and state libraries have high-speed Internet and computers available for free use. CareerCenter staff can help claimants sign up for a free email address, register for Maine JobLink, learn how to create a resume and apply for jobs online.

Find a Maine CareerCenter - http://www.mainecareercenter.gov/locations/index.shtml

Find a state library - http://www.maine.gov/msl/findlibs.htm

ReEmployME Launch

The department anticipates ReEmployME will launch on December 6. Claimants must visit http://www.maine.gov/reemployme after launch to create an account with a valid email address. Do not use a shared or fake email account. Free email addresses are available online through Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo! mail, to name a few.

Claimants who need help creating a ReEmployME account after launch can call a Technical Support Representative at 207-623-6765 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday except state and federal holidays. Technical Support Representatives can only answer questions about creating a ReEmployME account.

Claimants who need help filing a claim or to get information about a current claim can call a Customer Service Representative at 1-800-593-7660 between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday except state and federal holidays.

Direct deposit and MAP/EPC card benefit payments should appear within three days of processing for claims filed within the first few weeks after ReEmployME?s launch.

Claimants can watch for updates about the transition at http://www.maine.gov/labor/unemployment .

?Unemployment insurance provides temporary, partial wage replacement to workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own,? said Commissioner of Labor John Butera. ?Support for claimants while they search for reemployment is the end goal of the unemployment insurance program. The new ReEmployME system will provide claimants with around-the-clock ability to file for benefits and provide more accurate information to reduce fraud.?

Maine Department of Labor is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.

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