Copyright © 2020 Albuquerque Journal
With COVID-19 cases on the rise, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions announced Monday that work search requirements will continue to be waived until further notice for all Unemployment Insurance claimants.
The announcement reverses prior guidance from the state requiring that New Mexicans receiving unemployment benefits must report at least two work searches per week during their weekly certification process beginning on Oct. 25.
“With the recent record spike in cases resulting in high hospitalizations, the decision has been made to give New Mexicans more time before work searches are required,” said Workforce Solutions Secretary Bill McCamley in a prepared statement.
Additionally, the state workforce department announced that all DWS offices will remain closed until further notice in order to limit the spread of the virus. The closures extend to all New Mexico Workforce Connection Centers and Labor Relations Division offices, according to a news release from the state workforce department.
The agency is encouraging New Mexicans to access online services for filing unemployment claims, accessing job training opportunities, and career services online at www.jobs.state.nm.us. People 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, according to the release.
Contact information for each of the 22 offices around the state is available at www.dws.state.nm.us.
