Pandemic Unemployment Fraud in Context

Event Summary

On February 13, AEI’s Matt Weidinger was joined by Amy Simon of Simon Advisory, C. Randall Gillespie of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, Anna S. Hui of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and Linda Miller of the Audient Group to discuss a recent report from Mr. Weidinger and Ms. Simon detailing the extraordinary improper payments and fraud inflicted on the unemployment benefits system during the pandemic.

The event began with a brief overview of the issue from Mr. Weidinger, followed by a panel facilitated by Ms. Simon. In the discussion, Ms. Miller emphasized how unprepared agencies were to identify fraud when it happened, noting the lack of data sharing and cross-referencing between organizations. Mr. Gillespie explained the differences between the fraud that occurred pre-pandemic and the fraud facilitated within Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Ms. Hui discussed the importance of states focusing on how they can ensure their safeguards against fraud do not prevent eligible citizens from receiving benefits. The event concluded with a Q&A.

—Abigail Wallen

Event Description

In a new report, AEI’s Matt Weidinger and Amy Simon of Simon Advisory note that estimates of fraud and improper payments in the nation’s unemployment benefits system during the pandemic stretch to a staggering $400 billion. To prevent such unprecedented losses from happening again, state and federal policymakers must carefully consider where things went wrong and what can be done to prevent future fraud from happening.

Join Mr. Weidinger, Ms. Simon, and a panel of experts for a discussion about the report and what policymakers should do to fortify our unemployment benefits system against future crises.

Event Materials

Matt Weidinger and Amy Simon: Pandemic Unemployment Fraud in Context: Causes, Costs, and Solutions