For Immediate Release
October 5, 2020
Contact: Stacy Johnston
Acting Public Information Officer
505.250.3926
Work search waiver scheduled to end October 25
for unemployment claimants
(Albuquerque, NM) – The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) will require weekly work searches for unemployment claimants beginning Sunday, October 25, 2020 barring any changes to the State of New Mexico Health Orders and guidance issued by the New Mexico Department of Health and Governor Lujan Grisham.
Beginning the week of Sunday, October 18, claimants receiving regular unemployment benefits must start documenting at least two work search activities per week. Verifiable searches must be reported during the weekly certification process beginning Sunday, October 25, 2020, and each week thereafter.
Claimants may also fulfill their work search requirements by attending a workshop offered by New Mexico Workforce Connection Centers across the state. At this time all workshops are being offered online. For more information on workshops visit https://www.dws.state.nm.us/workshops.
The New Mexico Workforce Connection Online System, www.jobs.state.nm.us, provides claimants access to more than 50,000 current job openings across the state, along with job training opportunities, and career services. Job Seekers can update or create a resume using the the online “Resume Builder” and match with an employer looking to hire now using the “Virtual Recruiter” in their job search.
Individuals may also contact their local New Mexico Workforce Connection to work one-on-one with a career specialist on employment and career goals. Specialists are providing services by phone, email and virtual meetings. A list of local offices can be found at https://www.dws.state.nm.us/Office-Locations.
Claimants receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – self-employed, independent contractors, and gig economy workers - will not be required to conduct work searches and will continue to receive a work search waiver.
Work search is a federal requirement -- claimants receiving benefits must be able, available, and actively looking for work to receive unemployment insurance benefits. In March, the Department of Workforce Solutions suspended this requirement as a result of COVID-related business closures. More information regarding work search requirements can be found on the NMDWS Website https://www.dws.state.nm.us/Work-Search-Requirement-Information.
A virtual town hall with Secretary McCamley is scheduled for Wednesday October 14, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. This town hall will go over necessary requirements, how to keep good records and save work search documentation, and the resources and workshops available through New Mexico Workforce Connection and Higher Education institutions. A link to register can be found here https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6uaWe4-4QP69eG2jPwcbPw.
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