MADISON - As part of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's continued efforts to meet the needs of customers and enhance online services, the online unemployment claimant portal and initial claim application are now available in Spanish.
Spanish-speaking claimants benefit from the improved access to:
"This important accomplishment reflects ongoing efforts to increase the accessibility of DWD's services and online materials for all users, including individuals with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "The translation project dovetails nicely with other efforts to expand use of plain language in UI documents. Additional progress will be shared in the weeks and months ahead."
Claimants may access the Spanish version of the claims portal by selecting the "Español" link on the logon page.
Previously, the department only provided access to these services to people whose preferred language is not English through in-person or phone interpretation. Filing online UI weekly claims in Spanish has been available since 2017.
Assistance will be provided by telephone if claimants need help using online services by calling (414) 435-7069 or toll-free (844) 910-3661 during normal business hours (an interpreter will be provided at no cost). Learn more about Unemployment Benefits for Claimants.
Other recent customer service enhancements to DWD's websites and materials include:
Through the support of the United States Department of Labor's Tiger Team grant, DWD has also begun implementing four new projects designed to promote equitable access, improve responsiveness, and ensure timely payment of benefits while also preventing and detecting fraud committed against the UI program. DWD is also partnering with United Migrant Opportunity Services to support improved access for those shown to face barriers to UI benefit receipt with the support of USDOL's UI Navigator Grant. DWD's ongoing UI modernization efforts are designed to fix back-end system issues that can delay payments and improve the user experience by making the process easier to navigate.
WISCONSIN UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CELEBRATES MILESTONE
Wisconsin recently celebrated a historic 90th anniversary. Wisconsin's Unemployment Insurance (UI) program was developed in 1932, the first of its kind in the United States. Wisconsin's program was the basis for the national UI law that followed a few years later in 1935.
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