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Rodney Davis Announces Grant Funding to Fight Unemployment Fraud

By Michelle Mitchell Sep 2, 2020 | 8:30 PM

September 2, 2020 – On Tuesday, U.S. Representative Rodney Davis announced Illinois will receive $2.4 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to fight Unemployment Insurance program fraud and to recover fraudulent payments.  The grant will cover new UI programs created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act too.  Davis said he has been contacted by some constituents claiming they have received unemployment benefits but never applied.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and mitigation efforts forced millions of Americans out of work,” said Rep. Davis. “That’s why I supported enhanced unemployment benefits and additional support for state unemployment programs in the CARES Act, but many states, including Illinois, were unprepared for the enormous amount of claims, both fraudulent and legitimate.”

Due to COVID-19, state workforce agencies have seen an unprecedented increase in the number of residents filing claims to receive benefits in the UI program as well as the CARES Act UI programs.  While states are working hard to get these benefits to eligible individuals, they’re facing challenges due to increased fraud and identity theft.