THE U.S. Department of Labor Region 6 Office in San Francisco has commended the CNMI Department of Labor for its proper implementation of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, the Torres administration said on Wednesday.
CNMI DOL Secretary Vicky I. Benavente and key staff of the local PUA program met virtually with USDOL-Employment & Training Administration representatives from the Region 6 office, according to the administration.
The meeting was held to discuss the culmination of a monitoring review — from April to September of this year — of the CNMI DOL’s overall administration of the PUA and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, or FPUC, programs.
In a conference call held on Wednesday, Oct. 27, the USDOL-ETA reviewed initial claims, continued claims, adjudication, appeals, integrity, administrative, operations, reporting and fiscal, and employer activities of the program.
According to the administration, the USDOL-ETA cited seven “promising practices” that it said the CNMI DOL has exhibited within its program operations, a feat separating the CNMI from other states and territories.
The USDOL-ETA identified the following best practices:
• The CNMI appeals process data reveals that the hearing and hearing-to-decision times were excellent.
• The CNMI has demonstrated agility by manually reviewing cases docketed for appeals before the hearing date to determine if the issue at hand can be resolved and avoid the need for an appeal hearing.
• The CNMI Education and Training Outreach Program to Employer and Claimants was a key component that provided clarifying information about the PUA program to employers and claimants.
• The CNMI has dedicated staff for claims services access. These dedicated resources provide accommodations for individuals including those with language barriers, limited internet access, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, literacy challenges and technology issues.
• The CNMI created and employed a checklist for its PUA coordinators. This checklist covers eligibility issues, fact-finding, investigating claims and drafting determinations. This resource has proven helpful to staff and helps to ensure consistent experiences for claimants.
• The CNMI enacted multiple identification verification processes including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements or SAVE and cross-matching information with employers.
• The CNMI DOL Benefits Payment Control Unit verifies business information with other government or local entities to detect benefits fraud not otherwise reported.
The PUA and FPUC programs were new programs that required a brand new and compatible online system.
Unlike other jurisdictions, moreover, the CNMI does not have a regular unemployment insurance program.
Due to the pandemic, staffing shortages were experienced by virtually all states and territories, fraudulent claims activities were rampant, new legislation was enacted, programs, such as the stimulus care packages, were being effectuated simultaneously with the PUA and FPUC programs, and claims volumes were notably high.
“As our federal colleagues have stated during our meeting, the CNMI is doing its job as best as it can, by following all federal guidelines,” Secretary Benavente said. “I owe the program’s successes to the excellent working relationship we have developed over the past year with the Region 6 office personnel, the unwavering dedication of the CNMI DOL management team and Gov. Ralph Torres’ administration, the patience and understanding of our claimants, and most especially, the reliable and hardworking staff of the CNMI DOL PUA program.”
Benavente added, “The program, however, is far from over and we intend to do it justice by continuing to comply with federal and local laws and regulations so that the people of the Marianas who qualify for the programs, continue to get their much-needed benefits.”
The governor, for his part, said, “The CNMI DOL led by Secretary Benavente [has] worked very hard under strict federal guidelines, and for them to receive praise from USDOL for their work is a big accomplishment. The work has not stopped to make sure PUA benefits go out to eligible recipients, and we are doing work with the private sector to create new jobs for our people through economic development in the coming months.”
For more information or to follow up on the status of your claim, contact the PUA Communication Center at 322-8870/8871/8872/8873/8874, email info@puamarianas.com, and/or visit the PUA office at CNMI DOL building number 1334 on Capital Hill.
