The Department of Labor proposed a federal regulation on November 9, 2026, requiring unemployment insurance recipients to complete and submit at least five approved work-search activities each week before receiving payments.
The administration introduced the measure to strengthen accountability, safeguard taxpayer resources, and help workers secure jobs more quickly. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling noted that the rule "helps jobseekers find work faster and ensures efficient use of taxpayer resources while improving the overall integrity of our unemployment system." Sonderling added that unemployment aid provides temporary bridge support during a job transition rather than an ongoing payment.
Broad Tasks for Claimants
The draft regulation encourages state workforce departments to allow a wide variety of activities to satisfy the five-search threshold. Federal law mandates that states operate work-search guidelines, though individual states have traditionally set their own qualifying actions, weekly aid amounts, and program lengths. Currently, only four states enforce a five-activity weekly baseline, while other states set lower targets.
The proposal is subject to a 60-day public comment window before any final rule is established. The exact implementation schedule and effective date after this comment window closes are not yet known. Claimants should check reporting instructions with their state unemployment agency.
