To receive unemployment compensation (UC) benefits under the proposed rules, people would have to carry out a minimum of five unique job searches per week, unless exceptions are met.

"This action is necessary to reduce inconsistencies beyond those created by local labor markets in State-level requirements for individuals to actively seek work," the department said in the proposal, which was published on Nov. 10.

"The intended effect is to hold States accountable for administering a UC program that provides temporary wage replacement to eligible individuals while they are actively seeking work through a meaningful engagement with the labor market."

Work search activities include contacting companies to seek work and participating in job interviews.

Currently, some states require just one search per week. Others require two to four searches every week. A few mandate at least five per week.

The different number of searches required across states can create confusion, lead to uneven enforcement, and increase the likelihood that people otherwise eligible for unemployment may fail to meet requirements, the department said. Work search errors are a primary driver of improper payments, officials said.

The unemployment program, also known as unemployment insurance, is designed to provide partial wage replacement for unemployed people as they seek their next job. States work with the federal government to provide the money to unemployed workers.

If the new requirement is finalized, every state would be required to only pay unemployment to people who complete five or more work searches per week or complete activities in a points-based system, unless exceptions apply.

Under the system, states could assign one to three points for a work search activity. The activity, if it gives more than one point, must link people to specific industries and locations that need workers, or "has strong evidence for directly leading to reemployment," according to the department. Participants would need five points or more.

Exceptions might apply if an individual has a certain attachment to the labor force, such as being enrolled in a state-approved training program, according to the proposal.