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DWD logo

Tony Evers, Governor
Amy Pechacek, Secretary-designee

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office

201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 28, 2022
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

DWD Continues Customer Service Improvements with Updated UI Claimant Handbook

MADISON – As part of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's continued efforts to meet the needs of customers and enhance online services, the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claimant Handbook has been updated.

The newly published Claimant Handbook was redesigned to be easier for claimants to read and understand. Among the changes:

Information was added to the Claimant Assistance Line, (414) 435-7069 or toll-free (844) 910-3661, as well as to the Claimant Portal with a general message to make claimants aware of these updates.

The updated handbook was published in English, Spanish and Hmong.

"As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance services, the new Claimant Handbook makes it easier for claimants to understand complicated programs, find answers easily, and locate pertinent information," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "The translations also reflect our priority to serve customers from diverse communities."

Publication of the new handbook follows other recent and ongoing modernization efforts including:

Through these and other solutions, 84.7% of regular weekly UI claims are now paid within one to three days of filing.

For the pandemic period of March 15, 2020, to Sept. 24, 2022, DWD paid out a total of $7.47 billion in UI benefits to 700,531 claimants.

In addition to providing relief to individuals and their families, the funds have supported local businesses and communities, stabilizing the state's economy.


ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.