The U.S. Department of Labor proposed new federal regulations on a Monday that would require individuals seeking unemployment benefits to perform a minimum of five job searches per week. The rule aims to establish a consistent national standard for eligibility, replacing the current system where requirements vary by state.
Currently, many states require two or three work searches per week, while some require only one. According to the proposal, only four states currently mandate five weekly searches. The Department of Labor stated that the change is intended to improve program integrity, strengthen labor market attachment, and reduce inconsistencies in how states administer wage replacement for those seeking work.
Under the proposal, qualifying activities would include contacting prospective employers, registering with job placement agencies, or contacting a labor union. States would also have the option to implement a points-based system, where different activities carry different weights, provided claimants accumulate at least five points per week. The department noted that states could adjust these thresholds to account for local labor market conditions.
The National Employment Law Project criticized the proposal, stating it could be difficult for claimants to find five search options every week. Michele Evermore, the group’s senior director of economic security and worker transitions, said the change would likely cost states hundreds of thousands of dollars because they would need to update intake forms and technology. Evermore also stated that many states would be required to rewrite their laws to comply with the federal rule.
The proposal affects people who rely on unemployment insurance, which provides temporary wage replacement for those who have lost their jobs. By raising the national minimum to five searches per week, the rule would increase the administrative burden on claimants in states that currently have lower requirements.
The Department of Labor acknowledged that the transition could lead to temporary cost increases for both state governments and applicants as they adapt to new reporting systems. While the department argued that a national standard will reduce confusion and uneven enforcement, Evermore argued that the change would disadvantage applicants who already struggle to navigate state systems.
The next step in the process is a 60-day public comment period, which begins following the rule's publication in the Federal Register. During this time, individuals and organizations can submit feedback on the proposal. Following the comment period, the Department of Labor will review the input before deciding whether to finalize, modify, or withdraw the regulation.