Indiana Governor Mike Braun Goes After Unemployment Fraud with Two Executive Orders
Source: WISH-TV
STATEWIDE–Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed two executive orders on Thursday to reduce unemployment fraud and promote the proper work search activities for Hoosiers.
One of the orders directs the Department of Workforce Development to require additional work search activities each week from people receiving unemployment benefits when it is appropriate. The Department will also provide quarterly progress reports to the Governor on their findings and the amount of improper payments prevented by these data-focused efforts to prevent fraud and abuse.
“We need to crack down on fraud in unemployment insurance to protect the integrity of the program and the taxpayer dollars that fund it. Today’s executive order will empower the Department of Workforce Development to use data cross-checking tools to find fraudulent activity and stop improper payments,” said Braun.
The other order requires additional work search activities for recipients of unemployment insurance, requires recipients to make contact with a Work One office about searching for work in the first week of enrollment, and tasks the Department of Workforce Development to more rigorously audit work search activities to ensure compliance.
“Unemployment insurance is an important temporary safety net, but it should be exactly that: temporary assistance while searching for a new job. Research shows more rigorous work search requirements lead to unemployment recipients finding work faster; even just sending notices reminding beneficiaries of work search requirements led to fewer weeks on unemployment. Today I’m signing an executive order to require more meaningful work search activities to encourage workforce participation, grow our state economy, and promote a culture of work,” Braun said.
He estimated that the Department of Workforce Development has about $55 million worth of fraudulent claims over the past three years.
“Percentage-wise, that still puts us in pretty good shape versus other states,” he said. “But $50 (million), 55 million? That’s a lot, and, if we’re doing everything right, using the latest in technology, especially, we should hopefully be able to get that down a lot lower.”
Braun said if he’s asking the state to run on a leaner budget, Indiana can’t afford to waste money on fraudulent claims.
