Delaware Department of Labor Launches ‘Modernization 2.0’

WILMINGTON - Today, the Delaware Department of Labor announced Modernization 2.0, a new strategy to address the agency's most pressing challenges, including processing a backlog of unemployment insurance claims, responding faster to new claims, and ensuring the timely launch of Paid Family and Medical Leave.

A cornerstone of this effort is a new partnership with Google AI, which will implement an unemployment insurance adjudication workflow designed to improve claimant support, streamline navigation, and unify multiple systems on a single platform. This creates a more scalable and sustainable model for the future. This partnership will allow the current modernization vendor, Infosys, to work solely on the implementation of Paid Family and Medical Leave to meet the January 2026 launch.

Tackling the UI Claims Backlog

Currently, more than 6,500 unemployment claims remain pending, some dating back to February 2025. To address this backlog, known internally as "Mission Backlog," DOL has taken the following steps:

• Partnering with Google AI and delivery partner Egen to build an interim process that consolidates claim information into a single system.
• Deploying Google's Adjudication Assistant, a GenAI solution, to accelerate claim reviews.
• Hiring 25 seasonal employees through the Code Differently program to support backlog reduction.

This combined effort is projected to clear the backlog within 18 to 22 weeks, with completion expected in early 2026.

Paid Family and Medical Leave Update

Delawareans will be able to take part in the much-anticipated Paid Family and Medical Leave program beginning January 1, 2026. They will be able to:

• File claims online.
• Process certifications electronically.
• Receive employer determinations.
• Obtain benefit payments automatically.

Monthly updates will further enhance speed, usability, and overall user experience.

A Stronger, More Responsive DOL

"This is a pivotal moment for the Department of Labor," said Department of Labor Secretary LaKresha Moultrie. "By tackling long-standing UI challenges and ensuring the successful launch of Paid Family and Medical Leave, we are delivering on our commitment to modernize our systems and improve services for Delaware workers."

DOL will continue to keep the public updated on its website with a dedicated page to Modernization 2.0 that can be found here: Labor.Delaware.Gov/Modernization-2-0