Executive Orders Aim to Reduce Unemployment Fraud, Increase Work Search Requirements

Governor Mike Braun signed two executive orders on Thursday.

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Mike Braun has signed two executive orders to reduce fraud and promote work search activities for Hoosiers on unemployment insurance.

Executive Order 25-33 directs the Department of Workforce Development to take steps to identify fraud and abuse in the unemployment insurance program. 

These measures include:

• Verifying applicant eligibility through the use of state and federal new hire directories;
• Cross-checking applicant eligibility through state and federal incarceration records, state death records, and the Multi-State Integrity Data Hub;
• Conducting additional review and investigation of claims filed from a single internet protocol address using a similar mailing address or bank account;
• Ensuring claims made from out-of-state applicants are appropriately verified prior to approval and payment

The Department of Workforce Development will provide quarterly progress reports to the Governor on their findings and the amount of improper payments prevented by these data-focused efforts to prevent fraud and abuse.

“We need to crack down on fraud in unemployment insurance to protect the integrity of the program and the taxpayer dollars that fund it. Today’s executive order will empower the Department of Workforce Development to use data cross-checking tools to find fraudulent activity and stop improper payments.” - Governor Mike Braun on Executive Order 25-33

Executive Order 25-32 requires additional work search activities for recipients of unemployment insurance, requires recipients to make contact with a Work One office about searching for work in the first week of enrollment, and tasks the Department of Workforce Development to more rigorously audit work search activities to ensure compliance. 

This executive action also seeks to turn the safety net of unemployment into a springboard to gainful employment by identifying recipients at the highest risk of exhausting their unemployment benefits and tailoring re-employment services to support them in finding work.

“Unemployment insurance is an important temporary safety net, but it should be exactly that: temporary assistance while searching for a new job. Research shows more rigorous work search requirements lead to unemployment recipients finding work faster; even just sending notices reminding beneficiaries of work search requirements led to fewer weeks on unemployment. Today I’m signing an executive order to require more meaningful work search activities to encourage workforce participation, grow our state economy, and promote a culture of work.” Governor Mike Braun on Executive Order 25-32