Friday, October 28, 2011

Wyoming Unemployment Fraudulent Claims Quadruple

Improper claims for unemployment insurance in Wyoming have nearly quadrupled since 2008. The Wyoming Workforce Services Department documented $2.5 million in overpayments in 2010, up from $1.15 million in 2009 and $644,000 in 2009.
The number of unemployment fraud cases jumped from 652 in 2008 to 2,012 last year. There were 811 such cases in 2009.
Workforce Services Department Director Joan Evans says the poor economy and people failing to notify the state when they find work are the main reasons for the jump. Evans says in most cases people who receive overpayments say they don't understand how the program works, The department is making an effort to cut down on overpayments by educating employers and workers about how to avoid overpayments. Despite the increased amount of money paid out in 2010, Evans said Wyoming's unemployment insurance fund is solvent.

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