Delaware Department of Labor launches strategy update

The Delaware Department of Labor announced a new strategy Sept. 30, called Modernization 2.0, designed to address the agency’s most pressing challenges. These include 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. The 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 goal.

Currently, more than 6,500 unemployment claims remain pending, some dating back to February. To address this backlog, DOL is teaming up with Google AI and delivery partner Egen to build an interim process that consolidates claim information into a single system. The deployment of Google’s Adjudication Assistant, a GenAI solution, will help accelerate claim reviews.

In addition, hiring 25 seasonal employees through the Code Differently program is intended 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 Jan. 1, 2026.  They will be able to file claims online, process certifications electronically, receive employer determinations and obtain benefit payments automatically. Monthly updates will further enhance speed, usability and overall user experience.

“This is a pivotal moment for the Department of Labor,” said DOL 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.”