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Last updated on Saturday, July 6, 2013
(UNDATED) - A new law will affect the way unemployed Hoosiers look for work. Some say it will be a big help, but others aren’t so sure.
Among other things, it requires state unemployment recipients to go in to the Work One office and take an assessment test. The goal is to help match unemployed Hoosiers with job openings in their skill areas, but some think it's just another hoop to jump through in an already difficult time.
State officials say Indiana is doing better than most states and now, there's a new law which they say will help out-of-work Hoosiers find a job.
"Everybody who is on unemployment after the fourth week will have to come in to the Work One center to have their job search and their skills assessed to make sure they are really on the right track," explained Joe Frank, Communications Director for the Department of Workforce Development.
State Rep. Steve Braun, R-Zionsville says there are job entries and there are unemployed individuals but their job skills don't watch with the jobs available.
The new law will give the unemployed free training.
"There's been no strings tied to unemployment benefits in the past," said Braun. "Eighty percent of the people that collect benefits never go in to the Work One offices to have a skill set assessment, so they never go through that initial step."
But, now they will.
The new law took effect this week, but state officials said the law would be phased in over the next few weeks. They'll be sending out notices so people know when to visit and schedule their assessment. There is already a similar federal law, which requires you come in and take a test after 26 weeks, once your federally extended benefits kick in.
The new state law will get you in the door for an assessment after receiving four weeks of benefits from the state. The new law also deals with issues relating to unemployment insurance and accurate reporting of benefit payment information.
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