NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Beginning on Sept. 1, Tennesseans claiming unemployment benefits will have to show that they’re actively looking for work, including keeping a work-search log.
The state Department of Labor’s Jeff Hentschell says claimants will be required to conduct three work searches each week.
“Sending a resume through email, applying for a job online, going into a Tennessee Career Center, or logging on to our jobsfortn.gov website…it’s a variety of approaches and I think we’ve hit most of those."
A list of valid work search activity is available on the department's website or at the nearest Tennessee Career Center.
The state will conduct random audits of claimants' work search documentation each week to verify work search activity.
If work search claims are found to be fraudulent, the department will stop a claimant's benefits immediately and can suspend payments for eight weeks.