Finding No: 2024-007
ALN No.: 17.225 Program Title: Unemployment Insurance
Grant Award No.: 24-A-55-UI-000068 2024
Condition
The minimum number of cases for paid were not met.
Corrective Action Plan
Concur.
1. The BAM unit was short staffed an investigator from July 2023 and a second investigator fr...
Finding No: 2024-007
ALN No.: 17.225 Program Title: Unemployment Insurance
Grant Award No.: 24-A-55-UI-000068 2024
Condition
The minimum number of cases for paid were not met.
Corrective Action Plan
Concur.
1. The BAM unit was short staffed an investigator from July 2023 and a second investigator from February 2024. The 2 vacancies remain unstaffed.
2. The unit is in the process of filling a vacancy with an experienced adjudicator. Once the position is filled, the new staff member will be trained in BAM methodology. At this time, the BAM supervisor continues to help the unit toward achieving its BAM requirements.
3. The unit anticipates increasing the number of cases for paid beginning July 2025.
Person Responsible
Sheryl-Lynn Ozaki, UI Quality Control Supervisor
Anticipated Date of Completion
June 2026
NOTE: In response to the finding State of Hawaii – Single Audit 2024 finding, the DLIR offers the following:
The auditor’s recommendation the DLIR develop new policies and procedures to handle the increase in unemployment claims fails to recognize the true source of the deficiency. The shortcoming is a direct result of staffing shortages. A key requirement of the BAM program is the unit must be staffed with a sufficient number of knowledgeable and skilled investigators to ensure prompt and in-depth investigations. The investigator should be knowledgeable about and trained in the application of federal and state unemployment insurance law, regulation/rules, and official policy, able to interpret and apply law and official policy to each individual claimant's situation. Proficient in factfinding and determination procedures including the process of interviewing interested parties and providing the opportunity for fair hearing, rebuttal. Use independent judgment
to develop and analyze evidentiary facts, assess credibility, weigh the evidence obtained, and decide when information is sufficient to issue legally binding decisions, determine appropriate administrative action required, authorized to change computerized records as needed to pay or stop payment of benefits, prepare a timely written decision to deny or allow benefits which clearly communicate the facts, conclusions and reasoning used to support the decision. Be knowledgeable of the methods to effectively deal with claimants/customers, employers, or others, who are under stress, experiencing negative emotions, etc. including handling and controlling conflict. Knowledgeable about and skilled in the navigation of the state’s benefit, employment service, and tax systems; and knowledgeable about and compliant with BAM methodology and coding instructions.
Regardless of new policies and procedures, the shortcoming is a direct result of the lack
of available skilled investigators with the required skills to conduct prompt and in-depth
investigations in the BAM program.