The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is launching the new benefits system entitled the 'Illinois Benefit Information System' (IBIS). It is an upgrade in technology with the goal of reducing cost and waste and streamlining the delivery of service and information.
The IDES website details the changes made (www.ides.state.il.us/news/ibis/default.asp).
Claimants and employers should review the changes being made very carefully, because some are significant.
Some of the detailed changes, as listed on the state's website, are below.
For Claimants:
- The new system will bundle correspondence sent to the same address. So, each sheet in mailings should be read carefully by the recipient.
- The Benefit Payment Explanation will no longer be mailed to claimants. It will be accessible online 24 hours a day.
- The Statement of Certification will no longer be mailed to claimants. Additionally, the quick certification option will no longer be available. Claimants will be able to certify online or via Teleserve.
For Employers:
- Claim notices and other correspondence will have a different look--primarily with the fonts and layout of documents.
- Questionnaires requesting more detailed work history will be forwarded ensuring accuracy of response to claims.
- The new system will notify a longer list of previous employers of an individual’s application for unemployment insurance.
- Changes may more significantly impact employers that utilize electronic transmission for correspondence.
Patricia's articles: www.examiner.com/x-59593-Chicago-Unemployment-Benefits-Examiner.
Comments
I always thought those Statements of Certification were a waste of paper anyway. When you check your balance on the paydate anyway, you already know how much you've earned plus you can count out the next two weeks anyway. I think they should've stopped mailing those long ago. I wonder will their system now be available for Firefox. As of now, Internet Explorer was the only way to file, and that was a pain on a Macintosh computer that usually has Firefox and Safari.
Thanks, Shamontiel. It doesn't appear that much has changed in regards to computer program compatibility. The IDES website states the following:
"What software is required to file my claim online? Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, with cookies enabled. Windows XP, Windows 2000 or Windows Millennium Edition Adobe Reader version 6.0 or higher. To download Adobe Reader for no charge, click here.
Caution: You will not be able to successfully submit an Internet Claim using Firefox, Safari, or other unsupported web browsers. Note: If you enter the site and find that it is not what you are looking for use the down arrow located next to the back button on your PC tool bar to go back to the home page. "
Can you please help? I certified as usual on 8/30/10 and received payment. However, I didn't receive anything after that in the mail; all that I received back in July was a mailing stating that there will be no more bi-weekly statements; when it comes to certify this coming Monday, 9/13/10, I do not have a confirmation number. What do you suggest I do?
The significant changes with the state all occurred after you last certified. So, this may not be an easy transition for claimants. And they haven't made it easy by sharing much-needed information with people. I would call or go online to certify and follow the same steps as certifying before to see if they will allow you to do so without a confirmation number. These links below answer frequently asked questions, though some of the information is outdated since they've updated their system and have not updated their info sheets. www.ides.state.il.us/pdf/benefits/online/faq/certify.pdf
and www.ides.state.il.us/pdf/pubs/filemyclaim.pdf
Thanks for posting this. As a claimant, I learned about this new system today. According to the employees at the IDES office, this new IBIS computer system has turned a 40 minute visit into a 3+ hour visit and has tied up the files of thousands of claims. I'm currently investigating this government mess and plan to write a blog about it. Can you tell me, is it true some offices were closed for several days so the "high ups" known as "The Sorority Sisters" could redecorate and remodel? Thanks.
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