The Kansas Department of Labor will be installing upgrades to improve access to its unemployment call center and its benefits web site. The Unemployment Insurance Technology Enhancement (UITE) project will modernize the employer and claimant experience and it’s expected to launch on Nov. 19,th.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said in a press release, “Kansans needing access to unemployment benefits have depended on an outdated computer system that wreaked havoc during the Great Recession and later during the pandemic. What happened during the pandemic could have largely been avoided had modernization been allowed to proceed.” She said the new technology will have the state prepared if there are any economic downturns in the future.
The new system will deliver an improved unemployment insurance experience by:
• Streamlining operations through improved workflow efficiency and adaptability, data
management, and collaborations with other agencies;
• Enhancing user experience through adoption of advanced customer relationship management
systems and personalized communication channels, more self-service options, and improved
mobile-friendly access for claimants; and
• Upgrading data security and compliance with enhanced cybersecurity measures to safeguard
data and ensure regulatory compliance.
As part of the technology upgrade rollout, the Unemployment Contact Center and the getkansasbenefits.gov site will be unavailable starting Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 5 p.m. and will
reopen on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 8 a.m. Claimants will not be able to file claims during this time frame. Weekly certification for the benefits week ending Nov. 16 will be available starting Tuesday, Nov. 19, at KansasUI.gov.
