USDOL Releases New Grant Opportunities for Remaining American Rescue Plan Act Funds for UI
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) The announcement provides details [...]
CMS Issues New Guidance on Life Expectancy for Workers’ Comp Medicare Set Asides
On April 24, 2023 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted guidance for use in determining amounts to be set aside in workers’ compensation settlements based on life expectancy. Beginning April 29, 2023, CMS will utilize the CDC’s “Table 1: Life Table for the total population: United States, 2020” for the Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set Aside life expectancy [...]
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 [...]