California EDD To Seek Confirmation that Labor Certification Applications Are Still Active

The following is from an email from the California Employment Development Department (California's SWA):

"Hello AILA:

This is to inform you of a new process that the CA SWA will be implementing effective February 2, 2004 - a "Preassessment Letter".

Beginning February 2, 2004, we will be sending out a preassessment letter as a first step in processing all regular cases. The preassessment letter gives the petitioner 45 days to provide us with written confirmation that their case is still active. As soon as we get confirmation of an active case, we will begin the assessment process. If the petitioner tells us that a case is no longer active or does not respond to the letter, we will cancel the case.

The preassessment letter will be sent before the Specialist working the case spends time completing a thorough assessment. We currently have a cancellation rate of about 25% on regular cases. This letter will reduce the amount of wasted staff time that is currently spent on the assessment of cases that are ultimately cancelled for no response to the Assessment Notice. In addition, it should result in reducing the size of the regular case queue.

A sample preassessment letter is for your information. Page 2 of the letter provides an optional form that petitioners may want to use in their response."