US DOL Employment and Training Announces $200 million Available for States to Address UI Integrity and Equity
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 grant proposals, recommendations and [...]
Initial UI Claims Beginning to Show the End of Pandemic Recovery
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 March 18th increased from the [...]
House Republicans Move UI Fraud Overpayment Recovery Legislation through Ways and Means Committee
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 party lines the committee [...]
US House Republicans Propose Legislation to Improve Unemployment Fraud and Overpayment Recovery
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 Committee below. The bill [...]
House Ways and Means Hearing Demonstrates the Need for UI Integrity and Accountability
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 of Inspector General (OIG), [...]
UWC Asks USDOL to Delete UI and Workers’ Comp from “Employee” and “Independent Contractor” Definitions in proposed FLSA Rules
On December 12, 2022, UWC submitted comments to the US Department of Labor asking that references to UI and Workers’ Compensation in the definition of “employee” and “independent contractor” be removed. (see attached).The comments make the fundamental points that. The US Department of Labor is not authorized under the FLSA to adopt rules under which to determine whether individuals are [...]