Unemployment Insurance Modernization for Third-Party Administrators

Unemployment Services for Employers will offer Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) improved functionality for managing unemployment contribution services for clients. This page provides additional information and resources to help prepare TPAs and other agents for the new system.

Table of Contents

TPA EMT Journey Map

Filing Multiple Quarters in a Wage Report

TPAs can now upload a single wage file that contains wage details for multiple employers and for multiple quarters. This enhancement expedites and streamlines quarterly filings. If the file upload contains errors, any files without an error will still be accepted. For example, if a TPA submits files for 100 employers in the same file, and one employer’s file has an error, the remaining files will still be accepted.  

The TPA will be notified that it must resolve the error in the particular file with the error.

The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) will continue to support the existing wage filing formats. No changes will be made to the file or data structures: 

  • EFW2 
  • ICESA 
  • Massachusetts CSV 

Watch the video below for more information about wage reporting. 

TPA’s Existing Clients will be Automatically Migrated

If a TPA is listed as representing an employer on UI Online, that relationship will automatically be migrated and will be reflected in the new system. Once a TPA creates a new login to the new portal, the TPA will have access to view and manage their client(s) online account.


Registering New Employer Accounts

TPAs will experience an improved and streamlined option for registering accounts on behalf of their employer client(s). TPAs will be able to register new employers and select the roles it is authorized to perform. The employer will be contacted to log on and confirm the registration and the selected roles.

Please refer to the steps below, effective September 12, 2023, to register a new account on behalf of an employer:

  • Log in to the Unemployment Services for Employers portal with your account username and password.
  • Navigate to the Third-Party Administrator account.
  • Select Register a client as an employer within the Third-Party Services menu.
  • Complete the new employer registration request.
A screenshot of the new Unemployment Services for Employers portal outlining where to click to register a client as an employer.

 


Additional Options for Gaining Access to Employer Accounts

Starting on September 12. 2023, TPAs will be able to upload a DUA provided Power of Attorney using the new portal. TPAs must use the DUA form. The signed Power of Attorney can be uploaded to DUA to review. Once the Power of Attorney s approved, the TPA will have access to the employer’s account for the roles specified in the form. Finally, TPAs will also gain access to their client(s) accounts using the process that currently exists in UI-Online, where the employer registers and designates the TPA and selects the appropriate roles it wishes the TPA to perform.  


Seasonal Employer Applications Available Online

TPAs can now apply for certified seasonal status online, replacing the current email application process. The online application significantly improves the certification review process and gives TPAs more insight into the application review status.

A screenshot of the Unemployment Services for Employers page.

Online Services for Employers to Support Spanish/Servicios en linea para empleadores in Espanol.

A new feature, called Ver en Español, converts on-screen information to Spanish. TPAs have the option to receive correspondence in Spanish and the ability to toggle between English and Spanish in the new system.


Questions about the upcoming changes?

If you have any questions regarding this upcoming change, email the Department of Unemployment Assistance at duasystemmodernization@mass.gov

Additional Resources

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