On February 8, 2024, Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-NC) released a framework of Unemployment Insurance Program Improvements. (see below). The framework reflects some of the features of the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act (S 1587) and (HR 1163) that have been supported by UWC. No legislative draft language [...]
On February 2, 2024, USDOL released a check list for UI Modernization Reports to be submitted by states implementing UI Modernization projects. ETA 9177 Report (Pre-Implementation Planning Checklist Report Version 1) through July 31, 2026. See Extension of the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) 9177 Report (Pre-Implementation Planning Checklist Report Version 1) for State Unemployment Insurance (UI) [...]
May Impact UI Trust Funds On January 19, 2024, the US DOL released guidance with state requirements with respect to reporting and reconciliation of federal reimbursements for payments for the unemployment compensation waiting week. See Instructions for Reconciling Funds Made Available to States Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act - Section 2105 (dol.gov).The [...]
On November 8th, Connecticut Governor Lamont announced that the state was paying of the loan from the federal government that was used to pay unemployment compensation in Connecticut. See the Governor's press release at Governor Lamont 's press release reporting that Connecticut paid off pandemic-era Unemployment Trust Fund debt in advance of the November 10, 2023, [...]
The House Ways and Means Committee approved the Bi-Partisan Bridge for Workers Act (HR 5861) on November 2, 2023 by a vote of 41-0. The bill was developed by Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL). The bill makes permanent the amendment of federal law (that had been previously included on a temporary basis) [...]
On October 17, 2023, Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-NC) introduced the Unemployment Integrity Act of 2023. The bill would make important improvements to connect unemployed workers with jobs and in filling staffing needs for employers. The bill adds a federal requirement of state administrative funding that state UI law require as a condition of eligibility for regular [...]
On October 11, 2023, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report reviewing how State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fuds (SLFRF) were spent and/or obligated. See GAO-24-106753, COVID-19 Relief: States’ and Localities’ Fiscal Recovery Funds Spending as of March 31, 2023 The report shows spending as of March 31st, noting that Contributions to state unemployment insurance trust funds [...]
On Saturday, September 30, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) returned S 799 to the California General Assembly without his signature. See his veto message at SFresno_Biz23093017010 (ca.gov) In vetoing the bill Governor Newsom issued a statement that Any expansion of eligibility for UI benefits could increase California's outstanding federal UI debt projected to be nearly $20 billion by [...]
Report Recommends SSA Access Workers' Comp Data to Apply Offset On September 18, 2023, the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report of its review of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) offset for workers’ compensation and public disability benefits. The report recommended that SSA Determine whether SSA made inaccurate WC/PDB [...]
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 [...]
