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South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501
For Immediate Release: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015
Media Contact: Dawn Dovre, 605-773-3094
State Unemployment Insurance Division Receives Top Performer Award
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation’s Division of Unemployment Insurance (UI) received an award from the U.S. Department of Labor at the National Association of State Workforce Agencies UI Directors’ conference Oct. 21 in Albuquerque.
South Dakota was awarded top performing small state in the category of UI Benefit Payments Excellence. This award recognizes prompt reporting. South Dakota has won the benefit payments award seven times since the awards began in 2006.
“Our performance exceeded other states in how quickly claims were paid and for the speed and accuracy of decisions on claim eligibility,” said state Unemployment Insurance Director Pauline Heier. “We are committed to exceptional service, and I’m proud of the team efforts that earned us this award.”
In 2014, unemployment insurance received 15,083 benefit applications, 115,846 weekly certifications and paid out $26.5 million in benefits.
Unemployment insurance provides temporary financial assistance for people who have lost their jobs, through no fault of their own, until they find employment. South Dakota's unemployment insurance program is financed by employers through payroll taxes; workers do not contribute to this plan.
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