Before KyCIR, he was a reporter the Center for Public Integrity and a digital producer for WBUR in Boston. You get this bill in the mail and you only have 30 days from the date that mailed to you to try and build a case, using words that lawyers use, about why you shouldnt have to pay all of that back, Smith said. An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. And, she said, theyre unemployed and have long since spent that money. Please watch this short video to learn more about your 1099-G form and how to access. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Many Kentuckians are now talking about being notified that they qualified for unemployment. Kentuckys unemployment rate moved up slightly in August as estimates suggest there were both fewer people in the labor force and more people unemployed, said University of Kentuckys Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) Director Mike Clark, Ph.D. While August estimates differed somewhat from July, these differences were not statistically significant, which indicates that there has been little change.. For unemployment insurance claims filed between January 27, 2020 and December 31, 2020, KRS 341.413 authorizes the secretary to waive overpayments of unemployment insurance benefits if the secretary, upon an alleged overpayment recipient's waiver request, finds the overpayment was made without fault on the part of the recipient and recovery would be contrary to equity and good conscience. Governor Beshear Wednesday afternoon addressed mounting fraud in Kentuckys unemployment system. An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Get help with building a resume, searching for jobs, and getting job alerts, Unemployment Insurance Claimants: 1099-G documents will soon be available in the claimant portal and mailed via the U.S. Sanderson normally picked up school assignments those months, and plus, the state already paid him. The CARES Act includes the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs. Kentucky Labor Cabinet spokesperson Kevin Kinnaird said in an email the agency sent out just over 14,600 applications so far, allowing the chance of forgiveness for over $19.6 million in total overpayment debt. The trade, transportation and utilities sector added 1,600 positions from July 2022 to August 2022. Lots of states that have waivers in place don't give very many of them, even though there are lots of people that are eligible for them because of this sort of same mentality, Gray said. Report fraud, waste and abuse to the Departments Office of the Inspector General. As the HR Branch Manager, she is responsible for Personnel, Payroll, Benefits, Outside Employment, Unemployment Insurance, Background Checks (National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Child Abuse/Neglect (CAN)), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), American's with Disability Act (ADA), Disability Retirement, Discipline, Family Medical Leave Unemployment Insurance Appeals Branch. Thousands fall victim to unemployment identity fraud in Kentucky. An Open Records Request is required to obtain additional information. United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends. These sections combine to ensure reliability, accuracy, and integrity within the data that is submitted to the DWC. Incumbents working in this job title primarily perform duties in an office setting. The financial activities sector rose by 1,200 jobs compared to last August. 8, February 1, 2023. Kentuckians receiving fraudulent unemployment benefit letters, Its over: Law enforcement officials react to suicide of accused officer killer, Scottsville Police respond to accidents due to strong wind conditions, Statewide tornado drill set for Wednesday, March 1, Second search for missing Caneyville woman yields no new information, This weeks JA People of Action features Bethany Smith, WKU selects 18 for 2023-24 Cherry Presidential Scholarship, Hopkinsville man injured in Todd County accident. Steve Gray, senior counsel at the National Employment Law Project, a nonprofit advocating for economic security and opportunity for workers, said anyone who was given benefits from the state should be eligible to request a debt waiver. The Department encourages reporting of unemployment insurance fraud in state systems, and the updated resources released today will assist in this reporting. The letters are made to look as though they are coming from the states offices. address 500 Mero Street 3rd Floor Frankfort, KY 40601 Get Directions phone (502) 564-3070 About On our site you will be able to find information about the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Program, Employment Standards (Labor Laws), Workers Compensation Programs as well as Labor Management Relations and Mediation. If you make them pay it back, thats a hardship, thats exactly what the waiver is supposed to address, Smith said.. The list of all state unemployment insurance fraud hotlines can be found at https://www.dol.gov/general/maps/fraud. Complex Structured Query Language (SQL) queries are completed and reports are formatted to answer in-depth open records requests and to monitor agency, carrier and employer performance. The duties of the Imaging Branch consist of imaging and verifying all hard copy documents as well as indexing them into the DWCs integrated information and optical image system. filed their claim through an out-of-state. * Last Name. In Michigan, where Gray led the state unemployment insurance office through the first eight months of the pandemic, the office granted waivers automatically for many people who were overpaid due to an agency error. The application process laid out in the statute puts the onus on the claimant to request a waiver and prove that they meet the criteria for debt forgiveness, a process Smith said many people may find confusing. As states begin entering phased reopenings, the Department reiterated the obligations of employers, employees, and all workforce partners to protect the integrity of the unemployment insurance system. Victim of this identity theft can get help at the Kentucky Career Center Unemployment Insurance Fraud Division at www.kcc.ky.gov. This sector includes repairs and maintenance, personal care services and religious organizations. Literary LEO Short Fiction Winners Are Here! Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, are based upon estimates from the Current Population Survey of households. We just need a complete overhaul., Central and Eastern Kentucky's Radio News Leader, Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, Gov. They did not falsify anything. Kentucky Labor Cabinet. This data is highly beneficial when it comes to exploring areas of legislative interest. When Smith reached out to the unemployment office to ask for a waiver on behalf of a client, she said the unemployment office told her substitute teachers couldnt request a waiver application for summer payments because they were not a no-fault overpayment. If you look for the purpose of the unemployment statutes across the country, it's to relieve the crushing force that unemployment has on people and their families and their communities, Gray said. The unemployment insurance hasnt even given many substitute teachers, and potentially other workers, a chance to apply for debt forgiveness, according to Louisville attorney Robyn Smith. Even Kentucky lawmakers are now victims, all as countless Kentuckians are waiting on unemployment checks who really need them. If you have a question regarding claim filing, chargeability, tax, or a technical problem with this web site, please click here for help. (6) authorizes the secretary to waive an overpayment of benefits for unemployment insurance claims filed between January 27, 2020 and September 6, 2021. The only thing I've ever received was two collection letters.. Precautionary boil advisory issued for water customers in east Jefferson County, Police: Woman accused of buying nearly $9K in clothes with stolen credit card, LMPD investigating after body found in Valley Station cemetery, Louisville co-workers share $50K after winning Ky. Lottery scratch-off, Elizabethtown high school student crowned Miss Kentucky Teen USA, Students at Noe Middle School protest anti-LGBTQ legislation, Library to offer free mental health and wellness workshops, Louisville man appears in new season of The Mandalorian, 15-year-old shot, killed in Smoketown neighborhood identified. Almost two months ago, Gov. AVAILABLE SERVICES File New Unemployment Claim Employment was down 100 jobs in the federal government; up 300 jobs in state government; and up 14,800 jobs in local government. The mission of the Department is to foster, promote and develop the welfare. Contact the Office of Unemployment Insurance. This is an entirely remote hearing, and all microphones are being kept muted as a general rule to avoid unnecessary background noise. 49, No. Learn more labor-related education and training programs to benefit both employers and employees. Effective Jan. 31, 2023, the Kentucky Career Center (KCC) will stop using Focus/Career and Focus/Talent and transition to LinkedIn to assist job seekers and help employers find qualified employees. For more information on your rights to request, review and correct information submitted on this electronic form, please see OUI's Privacy and Security Information. Division of Program Integrity - Cabinet for Health and Family Services Ky. gov An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Services Agencies News Contact Us CHFS Agencies Department for Medicaid Services Division of Program Integrity Division of Program Integrity Division of Program Integrity Who We Are The governor's office has confirmed with the Kentucky Chamber these letters are concerning fraudulent claims made on behalf of employees or individuals. People who were overpaid but didnt get a waiver application have the right to file an appeal, Kinnaird said, but according to the unemployment offices website, appeals must be filed within 15 days of the initial decision. There will be a $35.00 fee on all returned checks.