Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Fraud Protection Act

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Fraud Protection Act

This bill creates several requirements for states to address fraudulent claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), temporarily increases penalties for fraud related to PUA, and requires each state to establish a hotline for victims of unemployment fraud.

Specifically, the bill requires states to

• cross reference PUA claims with federal and state prison records and E-Verify to ensure that claimants are eligible for PUA,
• submit to the Department of Labor plans to recover fraudulently obtained PUA,
• develop an anti-fraud task force to investigate and recover fraudulently obtained PUA,
• make restitution to Labor for the amount of any overpayment of PUA made by the state, and
• establish a hotline designed to encourage individuals who are victims of unemployment fraud and have received an incorrect statement of unemployment compensation to report that fraud.

The bill also temporarily enhances the maximum penalty for fraud related to PUA through December 31, 2021, so that the offense is classified as fraud in relation to a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency and punishable by up to 30 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both.