“DAVIS, PASCRELL LAUD DOL MOVE TO UNBURDEN STATES TO WAIVE REPAYMENT OF CERTAIN UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS”

WASHINGTON, DC—The House Ways and Means Worker and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement on the Department of Labor’s (DOL) announcement that they will allow states to waive repayment of certain unemployment insurance benefit overpayments when the recipient was not at fault:

 “Congress acted swiftly and decisively to expand pandemic-related unemployment benefits that protected millions of Americans who found themselves without a job during the COVID crisis. These unprecedented benefits met a moment of great need, keeping families afloat, safe from the virus, and connected to the labor force. As evidenced by last week’s jobs report, Americans are increasingly back at work and we are building a strong economic recovery, even in the face of unprecedented public health challenges.

 “At the same time, delivering these benefits was a herculean undertaking for states, and they continue to face operational challenges as they dig out of their own pandemic hardships. We are pleased with today’s announcement to expand the use of ‘blanket waivers,’ easing their burdens and allowing them to focus on fighting real fraud, particularly large-scale, coordinated operations.  Further, these waivers reduce paperwork and other burdens on individuals who were overpaid long ago due to state errors and are now dealing with the challenges of work during a pandemic.”

 This relief was requested by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), whose membership is comprised of workforce agencies in all 50 states.

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