QCEW data, which are provided to the BLS by State Workforce Agencies, are used by the BLS as a sampling frame for its establishment surveys; for publishing of accurate current estimates of employment for the US, states, counties, and metropolitan areas; and publishing quarterly census totals of local establishment counts, employment, and wages. The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the data to produce accurate personal income data in a timely matter for the US, States, and local areas. Finally, the data is critical to the Employment Training Administration to administer unemployment insurance programs.
The burden has decreased by 68,640 hours, from 890,240 in FY 2016 to 821,600 in FY 2019. In order to operate within prescribed funding levels, which resulted in reduced positions in the states, in FY 2018 the QCEW program raised the allowable threshold for establishments with unclassified country codes from 2.5 percent to 3 percent of total unemployment and focused less on address refinement for private sector single and sub-units with employment of 100 or more.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.