What is UI SIDES?

Unemployment Insurance State Information Data Exchange (UI SIDES) allows employers to interact through an intermediary server directly with the state unemployment agencies. It is a web-based information exchange system which allows true electronic communication between state unemployment agencies and employer, third party administrators, and software companies. UI SIDES has two options: SIDES EResponse and UI SIDES Web Services.

SIDES EResponse

SIDES EResponse is a portal for each state where employers log in to receive information and respond to requests for additional unemployment insurance information and other required correspondence. It is similar to some of the current unemployment insurance agency portals currently in use. The drawback to this option is that there is no tracking capability. It simply offers the ability to respond to requests and print files for paper files.

UI SIDES Web Services

UI SIDES Web Services utilizes a direct connection to a broker server to receive state unemployment insurance correspondence and respond via the web. A benefit to this option is that a software company, such as Unemployment Tracker, has combined UI SIDES Web Services integration with the tracking capabilities of the software, allowing state unemployment insurance agencies to directly import and export.

Benefits of Utilizing UI SIDES Web Services:

• Communication between state unemployment agencies and user is faster and more efficient. When using Unemployment Tracker with these services, the UI SIDES requests and information appear in the user’s inbox when they are logged in and on the homepage. Users can respond directly back to the state unemployment insurance agency from the software.
• Tracking required information and timeliness is easier for employers who operate in multiple states because UI SIDES promotes uniformity of state unemployment insurance information (rather than different formats for each state as it is currently).
• Information received from, and responses to state agency requests are more accurate with fewer errors on both ends of the claim, reducing the chance for overpayments.
• Easily imported into Unemployment Tracker software, reducing the need for manual data entry.
• Eliminates the need for traditional mail and faxes. Often, employers send a response via fax or mail in hopes that it will reach the state unemployment insurance agency within the timeliness deadline, but it doesn’t arrive in time or at all. UI Sides Web Services is a truly electronic communication system, so once a response is sent, the agency receives it same day. A bonus to this feature is that the user receives a confirmation that the response was received by the agency, eliminating lost and misplaced documents.

When will UI SIDES be up and running?

A portion of UI SIDES is currently live and being utilized by many states including the first of the modules: Request for Additional Separation Information, Earnings Verification, and Notice of Monetary and Potential Charges. CLICK HERE to see where your state stands in this process.

There are other modules in various phases of completion and adoption by the states. Eventually, all correspondence from the unemployment agencies and responses will go through the UI SIDES system. To learn more, visit our website: www.unemploymenttracker.com.