Reports
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Showing 1 - 10 of 134 results
Department of Labor OIG
COVID-19: Recovery of Millions in Pandemic-Related UI Overpayments Improperly Waived, Including Fraud
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) was responsible for oversight of CARES Act UI programs. Based on concerns that states may have unintentionally waived the recovery of ineligible overpayments, including fraud, DOL OIG performed an audit to determine if ETA’s guidance and oversight ensure states only waived the recovery of eligible overpayments? DOL OIG found ETA’s guidance and oversight did not ensure states only waived the recovery of eligible overpayments for the three key pandemic-related UI programs from March 27, 2020, to June 30, 2023. ETA did not detect that Michigan and...
Department of Labor OIG
COVID-19: ETA Needs to Improve its Oversight of States' Efforts to Identify UI Fraud Using Deceased Persons' Social Security Numbers
As of September 2022, the OIG reported $45.6 billion in unemployment fraud, including $139.5 million from claims using deceased individuals' Social Security numbers. DOL OIG found that fraudulent unemployment insurance claims were filed using deceased individuals' Social Security Numbers by 10 State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) failed to effectively monitor or report on these claims, which hindered efforts to identify high-risk fraud areas. DOL OIG found $586,782 in benefits paid, with $302,686 confirmed as fraudulent. Although no new...
Department of Labor OIG
COVID-19: ETA Needs to Improve Its Oversight of States' Efforts to Identify UI Fraud Using Suspicious Email Accounts
DOl OIG had concerns regarding UI benefits specifically to what extent did ETA and state workforce agencies (SWA) address potentially fraudulent CARES Act UI claims filed using suspicious email accounts. 10 SWAs were reviewed and DOL OIG found ETA took limited action to ensure states properly addressed the potentially fraudulent UI claims. ETA did not perform the proper oversight actions, because ETA considered its oversight responsibilities to be limited. ETA 's ability to assess UI program performance, identify high-risk areas and provide states with additional tools, because ETA did not...
Department of Labor OIG
COVID-19 Minimally Affected the Jobs for Veterans State Grants Program Amid Weaknesses in Eligibility Validation Practices January 22, 2026
The Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) program provides federal funding to help eligible veterans and spouses overcome employment barriers through job training and career services. Although the program reportedly met or exceeded its employment goals during the COVID-19 pandemic, an audit found that 30% of reviewed participant files lacked proper eligibility documentation, raising concerns about the accuracy of reported results. In one state, reporting errors raised questions about participant eligibility and up to $8.4 million in potentially unsupported federal spending, leading to three...