The Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) Program - Workforce Development and Adult Learning
If you recently lost your job as a result of a closure or layoff, Maryland’s Department of Labor is here to support you in moving into a new job as quickly as possible. The Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program is an important part of taking your next steps. RESEA offers personalized reemployment services, including career planning, job search assistance, information on what jobs are available in your area and how much they pay, and guidance on unemployment insurance. Because of all this program offers, it is required for unemployment insurance benefit recipients who are selected to participate.
Why was I selected to participate in the RESEA program?
You were selected based on your unemployment insurance (UI) claim. Selection criteria may include factors like your work history, industry, or length of time unemployed. Participation is mandatory if you are selected. Your UI benefits could be delayed or denied if you do not attend the scheduled RESEA workshop and complete required job search activities.
How will the RESEA program help me?
The goal of the RESEA program is to help unemployment insurance claimants quickly return to work by connecting them with the wide range of free career tools and resources available through the workforce system. Your RESEA workshop will be led by a professional facilitator, who will give you a broad orientation to the workforce system’s offerings. You will work one-on-one with a workforce specialist to develop a plan that meets your needs and career goals.
Your plan may include a variety of activities, such as specialized workshops to help you customize your resume, navigate the online job search process, and present yourself effectively to employers during interviews. The facilitator will set you up for an additional one-on-one RESEA session to follow up with you five weeks after your initial meeting to ensure you have access to the tools and resources you need to become reemployed.
What can I do to get the most out of my RESEA activities?
- Attend the full workshop as required by unemployment insurance policy.
- Arrive on time. The facilitator will need to reschedule you for a different RESEA session if you arrive 15 minutes or more late.
- Complete/update your profile information and create a resume in mwejobs.maryland.gov.
- Check your personal email and Maryland Workforce Exchange inbox for important messages from the Department of Unemployment Insurance and Department of Workforce Development and Adult Learning.
Is participation in the RESEA program mandatory?
Yes, participation is mandatory for unemployment insurance (UI) claimants who are selected. Failure to attend your scheduled RESEA session or complete any required activities may result in a suspension or denial of your UI benefits.
What happens if I am unable to attend the RESEA workshop I was scheduled for?
We know things happen. Contact the facilitator who initially emailed you about RESEA at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled workshop if you have a documented conflict with your scheduled RESEA workshop for any of the reasons listed below:
- You have a job interview.
- You have jury duty or court ordered/legal appointment.
- You have a previously scheduled medical appointment for you or a dependent, including children up to age 18, disabled adult children, and elderly parents.
- You need an interpreter or disability-related assistance.
- You have suffered the death of an immediate family member (parent, sibling, spouse, or child).
If you contact your facilitator to reschedule in advance of your scheduled workshop due to an allowable circumstance or with a reasonable explanation, your facilitator may reschedule you for the next available workshop. Failure to attend the rescheduled workshop may result in the suspension or denial of your unemployment insurance benefits.
Are there any circumstances under which I would not have to attend a RESEA workshop, even if I receive a letter scheduling me to attend?
Yes. There are exemptions, but you must contact the facilitator who sent you your RESEA workshop letter at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled workshop to alert them that you will be unable to attend. You must provide documentation. You do not have to attend a scheduled RESEA workshop if you meet any of these conditions:
- You are laid off for 10 weeks or less, as documented by the Maryland Department of Labor Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI).
- You have a verified return to work date within 14 calendar days following the scheduled RESEA workshop. (To qualify for this exemption, you must provide documentation on or before the date of the scheduled RESEA workshop that includes a copy of the employment letter of offer or the starting date of employment, company name, address, phone number, and job title. Your RESEA facilitator must submit documentation to the DUI.)
- You are a member of a union and are actively seeking work through the union hiring hall. (DUI must have supporting documentation.)
- You have moved out of State. (You must attend RESEA sessions offered through Maryland’s workforce system unless you are able to document participation in another state during the claim period.)
- You attended a RESEA workshop session within 12 months of the RESEA appointment.
- You are participating in approved training.
- You are a private bus driver who is on temporary layoff between 10 and 12 weeks.
- You are no longer receiving unemployment insurance.
- You are already reemployed full-time.
I live in another state, but worked in Maryland. Why do I need to participate in a RESEA workshop in the state where I worked?
The RESEA program is connected to a person’s unemployment insurance (UI) claim, which is filed in the state or district where you worked. Regardless of where you live, you must complete RESEA activities in the same state where you worked. For example, if you were laid off from a work site located in Virginia, you would file for UI benefits and participate in RESEA services in Virginia.
At the same time, we understand that many workers have significant commutes to their workplace. For out-of-state employees, it might not be convenient to drive a long distance from your home to the state where you worked to participate in RESEA services. If you need to take a RESEA workshop in Maryland, but you live in another state, you may contact the RESEA facilitator who sent you the workshop invitation to request virtual RESEA services.
If I live in Maryland, can I participate in RESEA activities in Maryland, even if my unemployment insurance (UI) claim is attached to another state, like Virginia?
If you worked in Maryland, Washington D.C., or Virginia, these states may make virtual RESEA services available to cross-jurisdictional customers upon request for convenience. Other states may offer this option as well. Contact the RESEA facilitator who sent you information to explore your options.
I have heard about American Job Centers that offer all kinds of workforce services, workshops, and training opportunities. Can I only access them in the state where I used to work?
While there are jurisdictional requirements for where you file for unemployment insurance and attend RESEA workshops, we encourage you to visit whichever American Job Center (AJC) is most convenient to you to access reemployment services. AJCs offer a menu of high-value career services, such as intensive workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills, online job search strategies, and more that can help you succeed in your reemployment campaign. Maryland’s American Job Centers webpage includes an interactive map that you can use to find the closest Maryland AJC. For information on the location of AJCs across the country, visit the CareerOneStop AJC Finder.
Does every state have AJCs?
Yes, every state has AJCs! Workers who live in other states are welcome to explore AJC resources available through the jurisdiction where they live. Use the CareerOneStop AJC Finder to locate the AJC nearest to you.
What documents or information should I bring to my RESEA appointment?
You do not need to bring any documents with you to your RESEA workshop. However, we do ask that you complete/update your profile information and create a resume in mwejobs.maryland.gov.
Will participating in the RESEA program help me find a job?
The RESEA program is designed to improve your job search outcomes by providing access to valuable resources, guidance, and support soon after your job loss. While it does not guarantee job placement, participants benefit from exposure to available resources, personalized reemployment services, and job market insights.
What if I have already found a job or returned to work?
If you have found employment or returned to work, notify the facilitator who sent you a RESEA workshop invitation letter. You may be excused from attending the RESEA session, but it is important to provide the necessary documentation to confirm your employment status.
Who can I contact if I have questions about the RESEA program?
If you have questions, please contact the RESEA facilitator listed on your RESEA appointment notice. They can provide additional information and help you navigate the program requirements.