Unemployment Insurance (UI) SIDES is a web-based system that allows electronic transmission of information regarding UI claims between UI agencies and employers.
BENEFITS AND FEATURES OF SIDES:
Streamlines communication to improve timeliness.
Transmits confidential information securely.
Reduces errors common with paper forms.
Uses a standard industry format for all participating states.
Sends notifications faster, allowing more time to gather information.
Allows employers and TPAs to upload supporting documentation.
Saves time, administrative costs, and mailing expenses.
SIDES E-Response is designed for employers and TPAs with a lower volume of UI claims and does not require any special programming or software.
SIDES Web Service is designed for employers and TPAs with a higher volume of UI claims or those who operate in multiple states. This option requires the employer or TPA to do programming.
E-Response is best for most employers. You simply login to the SIDES website – no IT intervention is required.
Web Services is generally used by Third Party Administrators (TPA) processing a large volume of employers.
If you are not sure which is best for your company, you can begin with E-Response & decide after using it if you would prefer to do the additional IT work necessary to switch to Web Services.
Web Services requires IT product building to connect your company infrastructure.
If you call a Customer Service Representative (CSR) will ask for the following information:
Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN): 9 digit Federal Account number.
State Employer Identification Number (SEIN): Iowa employer account number - a 6 digit number with a 3 digit location code.
Contact E-mail address(s): E-mail address where IWD will send notification that Notice of Claim records have been posted to your account.
CSR explains to the employer that an e-mail will be sent with a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Once they receive that e-mail and PIN the account is active and set up.
Federal Employer Identification Number (9 digit Federal Account number)
State Employer Identification Number (Iowa employer account number - a 6 digit number with a 3 digit location code)
Contact E-mail address (E-mail address where IWD will send notification that Notice of Claim records have been posted to your account)
Recommendation: If possible, use a group or generic e-mail such as ‘groupaddress@companyname.org’ that can reach multiple staff rather than listing the individual e-mail addresses for each staff member.
IWD will set up your account in SIDES.
IWD will e-mail you a PIN and your SEIN.
When you receive the PIN through e-mail your account has been set up and activated.
An e-mail with login instructions will be sent to you each day that an item is posted to your account.
There should be a link in the e-mail notification you received.
You will not be able to login if there are no records posted to your account. Any items that have previously been posted will drop off after 35 days.
If an e-mail notification with login instructions has been received:
Double check your FEIN, SEIN & PIN
Do not include the dash in your FEIN
The format for SEIN is 6 digits with 3 digit location code at the end
PIN is case sensitive
If you have 3 unsuccessful attempts at login due to typing errors, your account will be locked out for 1 full hour after the last attempt. (This is true even if you enter the information correctly on the 4th attempt.)
If you have entered the information correctly after the 1 hour wait, and are still unable to login, please send an e-mail to IWD-SIDESINFO@iwd.iowa.gov.
Only 1 PIN can be assigned for each SEIN/ FEIN.
Multiple users may log in using the same credentials, however only one person can open a particular claim at a time.
If you decide at any time to discontinue your participation in E-Response & return to paper notice of claims, a request must be submitted by an authorized representative of the company to IWD-SIDESINFO@iwd.iowa.gov. Any requests of this nature will be verified before deactivating E-Response.
Please send an e-mail to: IWD-SIDESINFO@iwd.iowa.gov. In your e-mail, please include information about the questions you need help answering.
Please send an e-mail to IWD-SIDESINFO@iwd.iowa.gov. In your e-mail, include as much information about the problem as possible.
