MADISON, WI – Representative Alex Dallman released the following statement regarding a package of workforce and unemployment insurance (UI) bills that passed the Wisconsin State Assembly.
“UI benefits should be for those Wisconsinites who are in need of help temporarily while they find employment,” said Representative Dallman. “These public benefits should not be misused for unemployed Wisconsinites to benefit from for years while not even trying to find a job. We consistently see people abuse and fraud the unemployment insurance system.”
Wisconsin’s rate of improper UI payments are currently significantly higher than the national average, with nearly 25 percent of claimants ineligible for the UI program still receiving these benefits. Assembly Bill 168 eliminates waste, fraud, and abuse in Wisconsin’s UI program by implementing updates. This bill aims to eliminate fraud by improving identity checks, requiring more frequent eligibility cross-checks with state and national databases, and increases the customer service hours for UI claims.
Assembly Bill 169 gives employers a process to report UI claimants who “ghost” required job interviews in order to receive UI benefits. This bill holds UI claimants who schedule a job interview and do not show up accountable. Individuals who receive UI benefits are required to make four work search actions each week in order to continue receiving UI benefits, however claimants increasingly schedule an interview and don’t show up.
“There are thousands of available jobs across Wisconsin and employers are constantly looking for able-bodied adults to fill these positions. The bills passed today will help those unemployed find jobs and modernizes our state’s UI system.”
These bills now head to the State Senate for its consideration and then Governor Evers for his signature.
