House Ways and Means Approves Bi-Partisan Bridge for Workers Act
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) to permit states to [...]
Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-NC) Introduces Unemployment Integrity Act
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 compensation for any week, [...]
GAO Report Shows $22 billion of Recovery Funds used to Restore UI Trust Funds
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 represented the largest share [...]
Governor Newsom Vetoes Bill Intended to Make Striking Workers Eligible for Unemployment Compensation
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 the end of the [...]
Social Security Administration Inspector General Releases Report
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 offset determinations and improperly [...]
USDOL Requests Comments on Overpayment and Fraud Reporting
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 notice posting at 2023-19553.pdf [...]