Labor
States get streamlined access to Treasury’s Do Not Pay system for unemployment
The move comes as federal agencies have worked with states to combat the rise in jobless aid fraud following the pandemic.
Labor Department tests new identity options for accessing unemployment benefits
The Labor Department plans to cover initial costs for digital and in-person identity proofing offerings for states to use in the unemployment system.
Some states may be barring the door to unemployment benefits
Despite Labor Department guidelines, nine states are requiring UI applicants to verify their identity before submitting applications.
Labor Secretary set to leave post for NHL players union, reports say
The news comes as some House Republicans set their sights on oversight for fraud in pandemic-era benefits programs including enhanced unemployment insurance.
GAO pegs unemployment insurance fraud tally at more than $60 billion
At the same time, the congressional watchdog cautioned that governmentwide fraud estimates are potentially dicey.
Labor Department, USPS team up on ID proofing
A pilot project set to launch in 2023 will see the Department of Labor and the postal service teaming up to help unemployment insurance applicants verify identities on behalf of participating states.
Over $45 billion in unemployment paid to fraudsters during pandemic, watchdog says
The Labor Department's Office of Inspector General says that the department needs to do more to obtain state-level unemployment insurance data to help with antifraud efforts.
Supreme Court hearing turns to the contractor mandate
Chief Justice John Roberts invoked the federal contractor mandate – currently blocked from taking effect due to a lawsuit – at a hearing at which two separate vaccine authority cases were argued on Friday.
Tech woes and fraud top the list of unemployment system issues
A new report from a special Pandemic Response Accountability Committee delves into the issues surrounding UI during COVID-19.
New rule puts $15 minimum wage for federal contractors in place next year
Employees working on federal contracts will have a $15 minimum wage starting on Jan. 30, 2022, per a new rule issued by the Labor Department on Monday.
The struggle to modernize state UI systems
The Labor Department and the U.S. Digital Service are taking a central role in efforts to develop modernized, modular UI technology for states.
Funding challenges hamper cyber EO compliance, CIOs say
A group of agency CIOs shared their biggest obstacles in meeting a series of aggressive deadlines and modernization goals of the Biden administration's sweeping cybersecurity executive order.
Labor Department rolls back Trump-era religious exemption for contractors
DOL announced it would undo a rule that was criticized by civil rights activists as easing the ability of some federal contractors to discriminate when making hiring decisions.
White House extends vaccine deadline for contractors
Federal contractors have until Jan. 4, 2022 to comply with White House vaccination requirements.
New Labor Dept. office will focus on UI modernization
The office will implement a strategic modernization plan for unemployment insurance set to range from developing modular tech capabilities to identity verification.
TMF, cyber EO drive modernization at Labor, CIO says
The unprecedented investment in IT and cybersecurity resources have provided agencies like the Department of Labor with a historic opportunity to tackle some of their loftiest modernization plans.
Digital ID left out of infrastructure bill
A plan to get federal support and funding behind digital identity proofing as a way to combat benefits fraud wound up on the cutting-room floor as the Senate crafted its $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill.
Labor Department moves toward zero trust
Labor Department CISO Paul Blahusch detailed how his agency ramped up its implementation efforts around zero trust in recent months, from establishing an entirely new team to proposing a project for the Technology Modernization Fund.
Labor Department seeks funding for staffing surges
During testimony on the hill this week, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh also gave lawmakers insight into the department’s work to combat unemployment insurance fraud.
