2026 National Unemployment Insurance Convening Reimbursement Instructions

UIPL 08-26.pdf

CLASSIFICATION
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION Unemployment Insurance
ADVISORY SYSTEM CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL
OUI/DPM
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Washington, D.C. 20210 DATE
March 5, 2026
ADVISORY: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 08-26
TO: STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES
FROM: HENRY MACK, ED.D.
Assistant Secretary
SUBJECT: 2026 National Unemployment Insurance (UI) Convening Reimbursement
Instructions
1. Purpose. To provide reimbursement instructions to states attending the 2026 National UI
Convening occurring March 10 – 11, 2026, at the Frances Perkins Building in Washington,
D.C.
2. Action Requested. The U.S. Department of Labor’s (Department) Employment and Training
Administration (ETA) requests State Workforce Agency administrators to share the
information contained in this Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) with
appropriate staff.
3. Summary and Background.
a. Summary – This UIPL informs states and provides instructions for the Department to
reimburse costs incurred for travel, lodging and per diem for up to two (2) individuals per
state to attend the 2026 National UI Convening in Washington, D.C. The deadline for
states to submit grant applications for travel reimbursement is thirty (30) days after
publication of this guidance.
b. Background – ETA is prioritizing resources toward program integrity through a multi-
faceted approach.1 On February 6, 2026, ETA sent a letter to each of the 53 states and
territories detailing their performance in relation to the Department’s goals (see
Attachment V to UIPL No. 14-25). This letter also emphasized the importance of Data
Validation to ensure the accuracy and quality of the data reported to the Department. It
further emphasized the importance of data quality for the Benefit Accuracy Measurement
(BAM) paid claims sample, which serves as the basis for calculating the improper
payment rate.
1 Section 9032 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) (Public Law (Pub. L.) 117-2) provided an appropriation of
$2.0 billion to the Secretary of Labor to, among other things, detect and prevent fraud and ensure the timely
payment of benefits. This amount was reduced to $1.0 billion with enactment of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (Pub.
L.118-5).
RESCISSIONS EXPIRATION DATE
None Continuing

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ETA has set the following performance goals for this fiscal year:
• To achieve a national improper payment rate below 10 percent;
• To achieve a national rate of Nonmonetary Determination Timelapse of at least 80.0
percent; and
• To achieve a national First Payment Timeliness rate of at least 87.0 percent.
This year, ETA UI Strike Teams2 will engage directly with states whose performance has
fallen short. ETA expects that all states will take meaningful steps toward timely
reporting of accurate and complete data and will consistently meet the Core Measures
Acceptable Levels of Performance (ALPs), data validation submission requirements, and
the BAM paid claim completion requirements.
ETA is also working closely with states to strengthen program integrity through strategic
feedback and a series of transparent listening and planning sessions. On February 9,
2026, ETA sent an email to state UI directors and administrators with an invitation to
attend the 2026 UI National Convening in Washington, D.C., including a registration
link. Working together, states and ETA will identify opportunities for ETA to support
and accelerate state performance improvements with lasting impact and improved
integration of UI activities.
4. Event Details and Reimbursement Instructions.
a. Event Details.
• Dates: Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and Wednesday, March 11, 2026
• Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (ET) each day.
• Location: U.S. Department of Labor
Frances Perkins Building
200 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20210
b. Reimbursement Instructions. The Department will reimburse travel costs for up to two
(2) individuals per state to participate in the National UI Convening. Reimbursable
expenses cannot exceed Federal per diem rates. Reimbursable expenses may include
actual costs incurred for transportation, hotel accommodation, and incidentals. Travel is
authorized to occur on Monday, March 9, 2026, to ensure all attendees may be present
when the convening begins.
2 An ETA UI Strike Team includes staff from ETA’s National and Regional Office(s), with support from the UI
Integrity Center. UI Strike Teams may also be deployed on an ad hoc basis outside the scope of this performance
categorization to address other urgent high priority activities in the UI program.
2

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The Department is not using state UI administrative funding to process the
reimbursement; therefore, reimbursement will not be issued on the existing state UI
administration grants.
States are required to submit a grant application package in order to receive
reimbursement. Reimbursement will be made in full for up to two travelers’ actual
expenses. The deadline for states to submit grant applications for travel
reimbursement is thirty (30) days after publication of this guidance. States that do
not submit a grant application (at a minimum Form SF-424) by this deadline will not
receive travel reimbursement.
i. Grant Application Package. To receive reimbursement, states must submit Form
SF-424 application via Grants.gov as outlined below:
• Form SF-424 (OMB Approval No. 4040-0004) is available through grants.gov at
https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_4_0-V4.0.pdf for the total
amount of reimbursement being requested (must be supported by travel
documentation). Attachment II to this UIPL provides additional information on
completing Form SF-424. States must input the UIPL number and event title as
“UIPL No. 08-26 2026 National UI Convening” in Section 12 of Form SF-424.
States must also submit a separate completed copy for each traveler of the suggested
travel reimbursement document included as Attachment II to this UIPL detailing
travel expenses incurred. States may request an Excel copy of the document directly
from the appropriate ETA regional office or download a copy from Grants.gov.
States should submit the completed package(s) to the Office of Unemployment
Insurance via email at ETA-UI-Inquiries@dol.gov with a copy to the appropriate
regional office. The travel reimbursement document should be submitted at the same
time as the state’s grant application is submitted via Grants.gov, but no later than
thirty (30) days after the publication of this guidance.
ii. Allowable Expenditures. The travel reimbursement documentation must include
details on applicable expenses. These expenses may include the following:
• Airline and/or train fare3 for travel to and from Washington, D.C.
• Privately owned vehicle (POV) travel mileage and reimbursement, if applicable.
POV costs may be reimbursed based on the federal POV reimbursement rate of
$0.725 per mile.
• Hotel accommodation expenses. Hotel reimbursement for up to three (3) nights
based on actual expense documented by receipt, cannot exceed the Federal per
diem rates for Washington, D.C. for March 2026 ($276.00/night for lodging
incurred plus taxes).
3 Airline and/or train fare is limited to coach class, unless another class is required due to a documented reasonable
accommodation approved by the state UI agency prior to travel.
3

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• Per diem for meals and incidentals based on the number of days on travel. A
maximum of four days may be requested based on Federal per diem allowances,
to include two full-rate days and two reduced rate days for the first and last travel
days. The maximum per diem allowance is set based on the Federal per diem
rates for Washington, D.C., for 2026 ($92.00 for full days and $69.00 for the first
and last travel days).
• Miscellaneous fees may be reimbursed, including those incurred for baggage,
parking, travel to / from airport and/or hotel to the venue at the discretion of the
Department to assess whether the excess costs are necessary and reasonable in
performance of travel. Appropriate documentation must be provided to support all
expenditures.
Further details on Federal per diem rates and policies are available on the U.S.
General Services Administration website at https://www.gsa.gov/travel.
5. Inquiries. Please direct inquiries to the appropriate ETA Regional Office.
6. References.
• American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), including Title IX, Subtitle A, Crisis
Support for Unemployed Workers (Pub. L. 117-2); and
• UIPL No. 14-25, Additional Planning Guidance for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026
Unemployment Insurance (UI) State Quality Service Plan (SQSP), issued July 24,
2025, https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/uipl-14-25.
7. Attachment(s).
• Attachment I: Additional Guidance for Completing Form SF-424.
• Attachment II: Travel Reimbursement Form for National UI Convening
4

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Attachment I
Additional Guidance for Completing Form SF-424
I Application for Federal Assistance (Form SF-424)
• Use the current version of the form for submission. Expired forms will not be accepted.
Form SF-424, OMB Control No. 4040-0004 (Grants.gov), Expiration Date 3/31/2026.
https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family
• Section # 8, APPLICANT INFORMATION:
o Legal Name: The legal name must match the name submitted with the System for
Award Management (SAM). Please refer to instructions at https://www.sam.gov
o Employer/Tax Identification Number (EIN/TIN): Input your correct 9-digit EIN and
ensure that it is recorded within SAM.
o Unique Entity Identifier Requirements.
o Effective on April 4, 2022, the DUNS Number was replaced by a new, non-
proprietary identifier requested in and assigned by SAM.gov. This new identifier is
called the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), or the Entity ID. To learn more about
Sam’s rollout of the UEI, please visit the U.S. General Services Administration
(GSA), Unique Entity Identifier Update webpage.
o If the grant award or cooperative agreement recipient is authorized to make
subawards under this award, then the recipient:
o Must notify potential subrecipients that no entity (see definitions below) may
receive a subaward from the grant award recipient until the entity has
provided its UEI to the recipient.
o May not make a subaward to an entity unless the entity has provided its UEI
to the grant or cooperative agreement recipient. Subrecipients are not required
to obtain an active SAM registration but must obtain a UEI.
o Please ensure that your state is registered with the SAM. Instructions for registering
with SAM can be found at https://www.sam.gov. Additionally, the state must
maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during
which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration. To
remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, there is a
requirement to review and update the registration at least every 12 months from the
date of initial registration or subsequently update the information in the SAM
database to ensure it is current, accurate, and complete. Failure to register with SAM
and maintain an active account will result in a rejection of your submission.
o Address: Input the complete address including Zipcode+4; Example: 20110-831. For
look-up, use link at https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action
o Organizational Unit: Input appropriate Department Name and Division Name, if
applicable.
o Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this
application. Provide complete and accurate contact information including a telephone
number and email address for the point of contact.
• Section # 9, Type of Applicant 1: Select Applicant Type: Input “State Government”
I-1

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Attachment I
• Section # 10, Name of the Federal Agency: Input “Employment and Training
Administration”
• Section # 11, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: include the accurate
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for the applicable Funding Opportunity;
Example: 17.225 for Unemployment Insurance
• Section # 12, Funding Opportunity Number and Title: Input the funding opportunity
number and title as “UIPL No. 08-26 2026 National UI Convening”.
I-2

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Attachment II
Suggested Travel Reimbursement Documentation for National UI Convening
Travel Reimbursement for National UI Convening
March 10 - 11, 2026 - Washington, D.C.
Airfare/Train Fare Costs Airfare Costs
To: Washington, D.C.
From: Washington, D.C.
Total Air/Train Fare:
Personally Owned Vehicle (POV) Travel (if
Miles Mileage Reimb. *
applicable) Traveled Miles
Miles and Total POV Reimbursement:
Federal POV mileage reimbursement rates: $0.725 / mile
Hotel (not to exceed Federal Per Diem for Washington, D.C.)
Number of Nights
Cost per Night
Additional Fees or Taxes
Total Hotel Expenses:
Federal per diem for lodging rates: $276.00
Total
Total meals and incidentals # of Days Reimbursement
Travel Days
Full Days (either one or two)
Total Meals and Incidentals:
Federal per diem for meals and incidentals (combined): $92.00
For first and last days of travel: $69.00
Miscellaneous (parking, baggage, etc.)
Total Travel Reimbursement:
Prepared By: _________________________ Approved By:__________________
II-1

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2026 UI Convening - Suggested Travel Reimbursement Document.pdf

Travel Reimbursement for National UI Convening
March 10 - 11, 2026 - Washington, D.C.
Airfare/Train Fare Costs Airfare Costs
To: Washington, D.C.
From: Washington, D.C.
Total Air/Train Fare:
Personally Owned Vehicle (POV) Travel (if
Miles Mileage Reimb. *
applicable) Traveled Miles
Miles and Total POV Reimbursement:
Federal POV mileage reimbursement rates: $0.725 / mile
Hotel (not to exceed Federal Per Diem for Washington, D.C.)
Number of Nights
Cost per Night
Additional Fees or Taxes
Total Hotel Expenses:
Federal per diem for lodging rates: $276.00
Total
Total meals and incidentals # of Days Reimbursement
Travel Days
Full Days (either one or two)
Total Meals and Incidentals:
Federal per diem for meals and incidentals (combined): $92.00
For first and last days of travel: $69.00
Miscellaneous (parking, baggage, etc.)
Total Travel Reimbursement:
Prepared By: _________________________ Approved By:__________________