ReStart MS is an online system developed by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) to assist the business community in transitioning employees who were separated from the workplace due to COVID-19 back into the workforce.
ReStart MS provides employers with information on employees presently filing or who have previously filed for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Utilizing this system will aid in the prevention of improper unemployment payments and assist in getting the workforce back to work sooner. ReStart MS allows employers to report: Rehires; Refusal of Work, Inability to Locate laid off or furloughed employees to recall them to work; and Potential Fraudulent / Identify Theft Claims.
Reporting this information timely is important, as preventing improper unemployment payments benefits all parties.
For the ex-employees who you are unable to locate, MDES will review the unemployment records and attempt to locate the individuals for referral back to your workplace. An individual who does not respond to MDES is subject to a disqualification for future payments.
Mississippi Employers registered as an Unemployment taxpayer may access the system by going to restartms.mdes.ms.gov and using your existing Unemployment Insurance, ReEmployMS, system User ID, and Password or create a User ID and Password using the unique Authorization Code mailed to each Mississippi business. Sample of ReStart MS Letter. (We will provide you with a redacted copy of the ReStart Employer Letter)