Summary

Allows States to use a portion of their reemployment services and eligibility assessments (RESEA) grant funds—up to the lesser of 20% of the grant or $3 million—to provide early reemployment services and eligibility-assessment tools to people as soon as they file an initial claim for regular unemployment compensation. Bars States from denying initial-claim eligibility solely because a claimant did not participate in those early services during the interim period before the claimant’s first compensable week, and clarifies how funding and later ineligibility determinations are handled. The change can be counted toward existing evidence-based spending minimums for RESEA grants if the expenditures qualify and takes effect on enactment.

• Allows states to use up to the lesser of 20% of RESEA grant funds or $3,000,000 to offer early reemployment services at initial claim filing.
• Permits delivery of eligibility-assessment tools and reemployment services as soon as a claimant files an initial claim.
• Prohibits denying initial-claim eligibility solely for failure to participate in early services during the interim before the first compensable week.
• If a claimant is later found ineligible, RESEA-funded services generally must stop unless funded elsewhere or publicly available.
• Funds already spent on early services before an ineligibility determination do not need to be repaid by the State.
• Spending on early interventions may count toward existing evidence-based minimums if activities qualify.
• Takes effect on enactment and does not create a new appropriation.
• Requires administrative adjustments by state unemployment agencies to deliver services at claim intake.