On February 26, 2021 the U.S. Department of Justice issued a Fraud Alert for Unemployment Insurance claims after the issuance of erroneous forms 1099-G. See Issuance of Erroneous Forms 1099-G due to Fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Claims The link provides information about fraudulent claims and links to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and state UI offices. [...]
The US House Ways and Means Committee has reported legislation language proposed for inclusion in the budget reconciliation bill for 2021. The language also seeks to address COVID-19 relief and economic stimulus. A summary of the UI related provisions addressed in the bill is available from the House Ways and Means Committee at 1.UI_sxs.pdf (house.gov) Click [...]
On January 22, 2021, President Biden signed a series of executive orders, including an order addressing economic relief. This order includes the following provision: Help ensure that unemployed Americans no longer have to choose between paying their bills and keeping themselves and their families safe from COVID-19 by asking the U.S. Department of Labor to consider [...]
On October 14, 2020 Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that Georgia will allocate $1.5 billion in Coronavirus Relief Funds to the state unemployment trust fund to save Georgia employers millions of dollars in state and federal unemployment taxes, prevent significant layoffs, and save the state millions of dollars in interest payments. According to the Georgia Department [...]
On September 28, 2020, Speaker Pelosi released the summary of the Updated Version of the HEROES Act for consideration in response to the Coronavirus and as an economic stimulus. The proposal would dramatically increase administrative funding and unemployment compensation for individuals impacted by COVID-19 and the ensuing recession. (see section by section summary) Provisions of particular [...]
Unemployment Insurance Fraud has become a significant problem due to the volume of regular unemployment compensation and pandemic unemployment claims filed due to COVID-19. On September 21, 2020 the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (OIG) released the Unemployment Insurance Fraud Consumer Protection Guide with links to state workforce agencies and tips to [...]
The COVID-19 recession has significantly impacted the solvency of state UI Trust Fund Accounts. A snapshot of the status of accounts as of September 16, 2020 shows that 21 states have already requested authorization to obtain loans from the Federal Unemployment Account because state unemployment trust fund balances have been or will be exhausted. (see below) [...]
On August 13th FEMA released the notice to states enabling applications for grants for lost wages supplement payment assistance (LWA). The deadline for application is September 10, 2020. It does not appear that Congress will come to an agreement on a replacement for the $600 in supplemental UI payments provided under the CARES Act in Section [...]
On Saturday, August 8, 2020, President Trump signed a series of Executive Orders (EOs), including an EO to address the extension of additional unemployment compensation payments. The EO seeks to provide authority for an additional $400 per week through the end of the year under a new program that would be funded under a federal/state match [...]
Business representatives from state and national business associations by letter dated August 3, 2020 joined to ask Congress to provide unemployment tax relief from the dramatic increases in unemployment taxes and costs to employers due to unemployment compensation paid because of the COVID-19 shut downs. The closing of businesses due to COVID-19 was made by Governors [...]
