The Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, administered by the Department of Employment Services (DOES), represents the proceeds from unemployment taxes paid by private sector employers and reimbursements from the District and federal governments deposited in the Unemployment Trust Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is used to pay benefits for private and public sector employees during periods of unemployment. Payments include transfers to other governments to reimburse unemployment benefits paid to District residents.

Trust funds are fiduciary funds that are used to account for assets held by the District in a trustee capacity or as an agent for individuals, private organizations, and other governments. Such trust funds are custodial in nature, reporting only assets and liabilities. Because fiduciary funds cannot be used for the operations of the government, they are not included in the District's government-wide financial statements.