On September 12, 2023, the US Department of Labor posted a notice requesting comments on ETA 227. This form is used for quarterly data collection concerned with identifying fraud. Data cells describe fraud identified through tools (State and National Directories of New Hires) and breaks out fraud cases in the Federal-State Extended Benefits program. See the [...]
In recent weeks there have been news reports about labor disputes in the entertainment industry and the auto industry. Union representatives have advocated for the payment of unemployment compensation to individuals who are striking despite the accepted norm that individuals who become unemployed due to a labor dispute and are not available for work are not [...]
On November 3, 2022, the New Jersey legislature enacted S 2357 concerning the timely payment of unemployment compensation and amending unemployment law with respect to employer reporting, notices, determination of overpayments and recovery of overpaid benefit amounts. The amendments enacted in this legislation become effective July 31, 2023. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce [...]
On July 13, 2023, USDOL announced that much of the UI Modernization funding to states was being cancelled. See Cancellation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Related Guidance, including Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) No. 22-21, Change 2; UIPL No. 23-21, Change 5; UIPL No. 02-22, Change 3; and UIPL No. 07-23 (dol.gov) The UIPL cancels the [...]
On July 13, 2023, immediately after announcing the cancellation of much of the ARPA funding for UI Modernization, US DOL announced plans for remaining ARPA funds that were reduced due to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA). See Announcement of Grant Opportunities and National Identity (ID) Verification Offering under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) (dol.gov) [...]
On April 27, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) announced the availability of $200 million in grant funds to states to address Integrity and Equity issues. The funds are part of those provided under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The UI-PL provides detailed guidance with respect to the requirements of [...]
A review of the report of initial applications for unemployment released March 30th indicates that the recovery from the Pandemic recession may be ending. For the first time since the pandemic recession the number of initial applications for unemployment compensation exceeded the same week in the prior year. The number of applications reported for the week of [...]
On Tuesday, February 28th, the House Ways and Means Committee held a mark-up that included HR 1163, the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act. H.R.1163 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): To provide incentives for States to recover fraudulently paid Federal and State unemployment compensation, and for other purposes. | Congress.gov | Library of Congress In a vote along [...]
On Friday, February 24, 2023, House republican leadership introduced the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act. The bill is intended to provide states with incentives to investigate and recover lost funds, fight and prevent future fraud, and extend the statute of limitations for prosecuting fraud. See the release from the House Ways and Means [...]
On February 8th, the US House Ways and Means Committee held a compelling hearing reviewing the dramatic increase in UI and temporary unemployment benefit programs enacted in response to COVID-19. The hearing, entitled “Hearing on the Greatest Theft of Tax Payer Dollars: Unchecked Unemployment Fraud” included testimony from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the USDOL Office [...]
