Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Recoupment Act

Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Recoupment Act

This bill extends the time period when a state must recover improperly paid pandemic unemployment insurance (UI) benefits and bring related criminal charges or enforcement actions to 10 years.

The bill also adds certain recovery requirements to two pandemic UI programs—Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Lost Wages Assistance (LWA)—that match the requirements of other pandemic UI programs. Specifically, the state must (1) repay itself by deducting the PUA or LWA funds from any UI benefits a recipient may later qualify to receive; and (2) ensure the recipient is provided with notice, a hearing, and a final determination.

Bill 118 HR 5107, also known as the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Recoupment Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to address the issue of fraudulent unemployment claims that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill aims to recoup funds that were improperly distributed as a result of fraudulent unemployment claims. It establishes a process for identifying and recovering these funds from individuals who received them unlawfully. The bill also includes provisions to prevent future fraud by implementing stricter verification processes for unemployment claims.

Additionally, the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Recoupment Act seeks to provide support and resources to state unemployment agencies to help them better detect and prevent fraudulent claims. This includes funding for technology upgrades and training for agency staff. Overall, the goal of Bill 118 HR 5107 is to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used appropriately and to protect the integrity of the unemployment insurance system. The bill has received bipartisan support in Congress and is currently being considered for passage.