Department of Workforce Development

Work-Share Program Surges During Pandemic

Struggling businesses can keep employees on part time and lost wages recouped through state unemployment system.

Evers Signs Bill on Unemployment System

Upgrading system and waiving waiting period for unemployment benefits.

Legislature Okays Unemployment System Upgrades

Bill also includes COVID-19 legal immunity for businesses.

Evers’ Capital Budget Spends $2.4 Billion

More than $1 billion for UW System buildings and funds for Milwaukee state office building.

New Hurdle for Those Seeking Unemployment Aid

Federal bill signed in December has unexpected requirements, state DWD official says.

DSPS Budget Lowers Licensing Fees, Invests in Veterans, Fire Prevention, Clean Water, and Efforts to Curb Opioid Epidemic

Senator Agard Votes to Start Modernization of the Unemployment System

The State Senate met to take first steps to upgrade the unemployment system shortcomings after nearly a year of issues.

Legislators Advance Unemployment Fix, COVID-19 Deal

But Republicans won’t pay for new computer system Evers says is needed.

Republicans continue to leave those on Unemployment out in the cold:

Even as some of them voted to give their own businesses a tax break

Gov. Evers Announces Badger Bounceback Budget Investments to Support Small Business, Kickstart Innovation

Governor proposes $200 million to assist small businesses in recovering from COVID-19 pandemic

AG Kaul, DWD Announce Lawsuit Against SEMCO, Inc. for Unpaid Wages, Benefits Totaling $682,864.90

February 8, 2021

Wisconsin Startup Coalition Announces 2021 Policy Recommendations

Investment in Wisconsin’s Innovation Ecosystem will accelerate the State’s economic recovery from COVID-19 pandemic

Work Search Waiver for Unemployment Continues

DWD still not requiring work search for unemployment insurance claims.

Evers Wants Unemployment Insurance Reforms

GOP controlled legislature refuses to take up reform bills.

Gov. Evers to Legislature on Modernizing UI System: “I don’t care who gets the credit, I just want to get it done.”

Legislature yet to take action on governor’s special session to modernize unemployment system

Evers Names 30 Equity Council Members

Governor’s Advisory Council on Equity and Inclusion appointees include leaders from nonprofits, tribes, churches, community groups.

State Call Center Confuses Unemployed

Jobless people say DWD call center gives incorrect, contradictory information.

Unemployment Rises in Milwaukee

Milwaukee's unemployment rate is still above the national average.

DWD Wants A Modernized Unemployment System

Secretary was in "complete shock" the first time she saw the antiquated systems.

Update: The CDC eviction moratorium that was originally extended until January 31, 2021 is now extended through March 31, 2021

When Will Unemployment Benefits Arrive?

Federal pandemic package includes 11 weeks of aid, but when will state DWD process them?

Wisconsin Unemployment Grew in December

Unemployment rate has fluctuated since September.

Wage Theft ‘Rampant’ in State

10% of construction workers bilked of $23,500 per year on average. Will Legislature address problem?

GOP Rejects Special Session on Unemployment

Republicans gavel in and then quickly adjourn session.

State Losing Top Health Official To Biden Administration

Andrea Palm named deputy secretary of Department of Health and Human Services.

State Starts $300 Unemployment Supplements

Unemployment insurance recipients are eligible for an additional $300 a week.

State Unemployment System ‘Very Broken’

Citizens decry delays. DWD officials say outdated computer system causes massive problems.

Rep. Stubbs Statement on 2021 State of the State

Rep. Robyn Vining Responds to Governor Evers’ State of the State Address

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order Calling a Special Session on Unemployment Insurance Modernization

Gov. Evers Delivers 2021 State of the State Address

DWD Secretary-designee Signs Work-Share Program Waiver

State Clears Unemployment Claims Backlog

Evers promotes Amy Pechacek to secretary designee of Department of Workforce Development.

Gov. Evers Appoints Amy Pechacek as Secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

DWD Clears Wisconsin Unemployment Claims Backlog

Remaining claims within timely adjudication resolution period, UI claims older than 21 days resolved or assigned

DWD Seeks Public Input on Initial and Weekly UI Applications

Evers Reflects on Year of Pandemic, Protests

Proud of his administration’s response to COVID-19, “we turned that around a little bit.”

Wisconsin Unemployment Drops to 5%

But the state still lost thousands of jobs last month.

Evers Offers Compromise Bill on COVID-19

After meeting with Republican leaders, offers draft bill with “items on which all of us can agree.”

Unemployment System Audited After Pandemic Failures

Massive delays in claims, duplicate payments and an unreliable call center among issues found in report.

Audits Show the Need to Modernize and Improve UI System after Years of GOP Neglect

State Fights for Employees’ Wages; Bankruptcy Court Orders Golden Guernsey Dairy to Pay $1.1 Million to Past Employees

December 16, 2020

GOP Signals End of Pandemic Unemployment Waivers

Vos says waiting period and work search requirements will return next year.

DWD Releases Information on Unemployment Data

Evers Administration Continues Efforts to Increase Health Care Workforce

The Hunger Games, Wisconsin Edition

You’re on your own as pandemic rages and Republican legislators again refuse to meet.

Job Growth Down Five Months in a Row

The national unemployment rate in November was 6.7%

2020 MARKETPLACE Community Economic Development Awards recognize notable business and community leaders

WEDC provides recognition to top supporters of minority-, woman- and veteran-owned businesses

Extended Unemployment Payments Begin This Week

Extended Benefits payments going to those that exhausted all other forms of unemployment assistance.

Vos Pandemic Plan Sets Up Political Battle

Speaker Robin Vos releases plan and includes provisions that strip power from the governor.

State Official Promises End to Unemployment Insurance Backlog

Department of Workforce Development’s new director hopes to end backlog by late December.

DWD Launches Extended Benefit Program; Begins Accepting Applications

Assembly GOP Unveils Tough Pandemic Plan

Republicans would make state employees work in offices, force teachers into classrooms, cut state aid to non-complying schools.

Will Unemployment Backlog Be Cleared By End Of Year?

70,000 people in Wisconsin are still waiting for their unemployment to come through.

Milwaukee Unemployment Rising

The recovery is over as every part of the state is seeing unemployment increase.

October Local Employment and Unemployment Data Released

DWD Releases Information on Unemployment Data

Thousands Still Await Jobless Aid

Some 93,000 applications for pandemic aid have yet to be processed or adjudicated by state.

Wisconsin Unemployment Increased in October

Service sector lost nearly 30,000 jobs.

DWD Partners with IKEA US Community Foundation to Fund Workforce Equity Grant Program

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Last Payable Week of Extended Benefits is November 7

Milwaukee Unemployment at 8.4%

The unemployment rate for Milwaukee County is slightly lower, 7.3%.

Federal Unemployment Boost Being Paid Out

$300 weekly supplement could provide $224 million to state residents.

Wisconsin Unemployment at 5.4%

Service industry sees job gains.

Pandemic Slams State’s Working Women

Much higher unemployment than men, as many taking care of kids at home.

4 Reasons Legislature Won’t Reconvene

Haven’t met since April, won’t return this year. Republicans explain why.

99% of Unemployment Calls to DWD Unanswered

38.3 million calls regarding unemployment insurance weren't answered.

Milwaukee Unemployment Higher than National Average

County slightly higher, but city well above national average.

Evers Fires Workforce Development Secretary

Sec. Caleb Frostman asked to resign over unemployment system delays.

Gov. Evers Asks for Resignation of Workforce Development Secretary

Resignation effective immediately, DOC Deputy Secretary Pechacek to lead transition

Wisconsin Unemployment at 6.2%

Even as unemployment improves, millions are still being affected by unemployment crisis.

$300 Unemployment Boost Excludes Thousands

A requirement for the program will bypass thousands of Wisconsinites.

Unemployment Protest Outside Sen. Ron Johnson’s Office

Unemployed workers demand congress reinstate $600 weekly assistance.

Wisconsin Getting $300 Weekly Unemployment Boost

FEMA approved the state Tuesday, but funds could take four to five weeks to reach people.

New Unemployment Aid Will Take 6 Weeks

State DWD Secretary predicts 6-8 week wait till recipients get $300 supplement.

Evers Applies for Federal Unemployment Supplement

Program provides an additional weekly $300 to unemployment insurance.

Milwaukee County Unemployment at 9.9 Percent

City of Milwaukee unemployment at 11.1 percent.

Wisconsin Applies for Lost Wages Assistance Grant​

Gov. Evers Appoints Nia Trammell and David Conway to the Dane County Circuit Court

Unemployed Struggle Without Federal Aid

In week 5 without $600 federal supplement unemployed workers call on Evers, Congress to find solution.

Many City Renters Face Evictions

Black neighborhoods hit hardest as state pandemic aid program can’t keep up.

People With Disabilities Still Waiting on Unemployment

Wisconsin residents left in limbo with dwindling bank accounts.

Wisconsin Unemployment at 7%

Service industry is beginning to recover from devastating job losses.

Wisconsin Invented Unemployment Insurance

Jobless benefits began in 1932 with $15 check. Program now crucial during pandemic.

Johnson’s Attacks on Unemployment Aid Lack Evidence

The pandemic, not unemployment insurance, is keeping people out of work.

Pandemic Aid Programs Are Failing Us

One man's story of resilience, navigating unemployment during COVID-19.

Trump Directives Fall Flat in Wisconsin

President’s executive action on unemployment and evictions cause ‘uncertainty and confusion’, Evers says

DWD Releases Information on Unemployment Data

Pandemic Still Hurting State Economy

Downturn far worse than during Great Recession. People’s fears, not shutdown orders, are driving downturn.

Legislature Must Act for Unemployed

Some have waited 15 weeks to get unemployment compensation; state law must to be reformed.

Disabled Workers Okayed for Pandemic Aid

State gets federal permission to reverse its policy. Problem arose due to Walker-era restrictions passed.

Milwaukee County Unemployment at 11.5%

City of Milwaukee unemployment at 12.8 percent.

State Law Punishes People With Disabilities

Vos-Walker law means disabled people who lose their job can’t get unemployment benefits.

Layoffs hit Potawatomi Hotel & Casino

Statement of Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa July 17, 2020

Rep. Robyn Vining Co-Sponsors Legislation to Reduce Barriers to Unemployment Insurance

Legislative Democrats Introduce Bill Package to Remove Barriers to Unemployment Insurance

Senator Erpenbach and Legislative Democrats Announce Unemployment Package

Bills would roll back barriers to UI imposed during decade of misguided anti-worker legislation

State Overpaid $21 Million for Unemployment

Audit Bureau finds unknown number of participants received incorrect unemployment benefits.