Iowa Workforce Development is continuously looking for ways to help Iowans renter the workforce as quickly as possible and gain the skillsets they need to be successful. Several state and federal programs are available to help Iowans take this critical step.
Studies completed by the U.S. Department of Labor found that people who received reemployment services returned to work earlier than people who did not receive services.
View the links below on the Reemployment Case Management (RCM) program and other programs that are helping Iowans reenter the workforce. For more information, contact IWD or visit your local IowaWORKS office.
Reemployment Programs
This program, which launched in January 2022, represents a heightened focus by Iowa Workforce Development on getting unemployed Iowans back to work as quickly as possible. Simply put, RCM provides enhanced services to unemployment claimants at the beginning of the claims process and assists them in finding jobs more quickly, including by helping match their skills with the skills need by local companies with vacant jobs.
Claimants are also assisted by new technology that’s being added to Iowa’s existing IowaWORKS system, thereby making it easier to match an unemployment claimant’s work history with the skills in demand at Iowa companies with open jobs.
Along with the increased assistance, most unemployment benefits claimants now must take part in four “reemployment activities” per week (instead of two per week) to maintain their claims. At least three of these must involve applications for jobs. Visit the FAQ page below for more information.
The Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program looks at a variety of factors such as occupation, industry, education, length of employment, wages, etc. Participants are selected within the first five paid weeks of their claim.
RESEA is designed to assure that you are registered for work and to provide customized reemployment services. If selected, participation is mandatory and is a condition of eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits. If you do not participate, it could result in a denial of benefits.
You will receive a letter informing you where to report and what documents to bring. You must contact your RESEA Advisor prior to your scheduled appointment if you are unable to attend. Appointments may be rescheduled for justifiable cause.
This program is an overall eligibility assessment review of your unemployment insurance claim. You meet one-on-one with a RESEA Advisor to:
- Discuss benefits and requirements of the RESEA program including how non-participation can affect your unemployment insurance benefits
- Assess your unemployment insurance eligibility and address any possible issues
- Review your work searches and discuss your work search process
- Provide you with Labor Market Information (LMI)
- Review your resume and provide feedback
- Review your registration in IowaWORKS to ensure that it is properly completed
- Schedule you for an IowaWORKS Center Orientation workshop
- Schedule you for one additional workshop of your choice to be completed within 30 calendar days of RESEA assessment
- Refer you to additional reemployment services/activities such as: resume writing, Future Ready Iowa, WIOA, ex-offenders services, etc. when employment barriers exist
- Develop or revise Initial Service Plan (ISP) that will include work search activities, accessing services provided through IowaWORKS and self-service tools
Based on the results of the review, selected participants will receive a letter outlining which program they have been selected to participate in. The letter will also include what office to report to and what documents need to be brought. Possible programs include:
- Reemployment Orientation Workshop
- Reemployment Eligibility Assessment
- Emergency Unemployment Compensation Audit
- National Career Readiness Certificate Testing
These programs are designed to provide individuals with customized reemployment services that may include the following:
- Development of an employment plan including, guidance for completing online applications, resume and cover letter writing assistance and interview preparation
- Help developing effective networking
- Skills assessments
- Review Labor Market Information to identify employment needs in the community and career possibilities
- Referrals to additional training and educational programs
Contact your local IowaWORKS Office for additional information.
If you are attending school or a training course, you may apply for Training Extension Benefits (TEB) to receive an additional 26 weeks of benefits. TEB is available if you:
- Meet the eligibility requirements for unemployment insurance benefits
- Are separated for one of the following reasons:
- Laid-off
- Voluntarily separated from a full-time position in a declining occupation
- Involuntarily separated from a full-time position due to a permanent reduction of operations at the last place of employment
In addition to the above requirements, the school or training course must be one of the following:
- High demand occupation as defined by IWD
- High-tech occupation or training approved under the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
To apply, the claimant must:
- Supply the name of the school, type of training, class schedule and the beginning and ending dates of training.
- Submit an application for TEB within 30 days of the last week you receive benefits. A claimant can apply at any time for TEB while claiming benefits; applying earlier is recommended.
​TEB is only payable after all other unemployment benefits are exhausted. The TEB application can be found at this link.
The TEB application may be submitted in a variety of ways.
- Take the application and class schedule to a local IowaWORKS Center (preferred method).
- Fax the application and class schedule to 515-242-0444.
- Mail the application and class schedule to:
UI Service Center-DAT
P O Box 10332
Des Moines IA 50306-0332
If the claimant stops training for any reason, they must notify IWD and stop filing their weekly claim.
Additional Resources
A local IowaWORKS Center can help a claimant research and find financial aid information but they should also review the following sources for further information:
If you are attending school or a training course, you may request to waive the work search requirement for each semester of school you attend. You should submit an application for Department Approved Training (DAT) to IWD with the following information:
- Name of the school
- Type of training
- Class schedule
- Beginning and ending dates of training
The DAT application may be submitted in a variety of ways:
- Take the application and class schedule to a local IowaWORKS Center (which is the preferred method).
- Fax the application and class schedule to 515-242-0444.
- Mail the application and class schedule to:
UI Service Center-DAT
P O Box 10332
Des Moines IA 50306-0332
You will receive a decision in the mail approving or denying your request for DAT. The decision will include appeal rights. If you are approved for DAT, even though the work search requirement is waived, you must continue to be able and available to attend school. You must also file a weekly claim to receive payment while you are in school. If training stops for any reason, you must notify IWD and begin making work search contacts immediately. To be eligible for a continuing DAT each semester, you will need to submit a new application for DAT including your schedule and prior semester’s grades so we can determine your progress.
The Voluntary Shared Work (VSW) program offers an alternative to layoffs of five or more workers and is an effective tool for Iowa businesses experiencing a decline in regular business activity. Under VSW, work reductions are shared by reducing employees’ work hours and Unemployment Insurance (UI) partially replaces lost earnings. By avoiding layoffs, employees stay connected to their jobs and employers maintain their skilled workforce for when business improves.
Visit this link to learn more about the Voluntary Shared Work Program.
Additional reemployment services can be found at this link in the claimant handbook.