Last February we exposed a flaw in the state’s unemployment system by interviewing a man who collected unemployment while behind bars. Now, the state has officially closed that loophole.
This change is estimated to save taxpayers $12 million every year. The former Chairman of the House Labor and Industry Committee which oversees the state’s unemployment system says our story helped lead to this change.
“The story helped to bring it to the forefront and get a lot of people talking about it,” commented Rep. Ron Miller, former Chairman of the Department of Labor and Industry.
Last year, we introduced you to a man who told us he did not have any guilt.
He cheated the system by collecting an unemployment check while behind bars. He told us how easy it was and we learned the state had no idea it was happening.
“You have brought this to my attention at this point in time,” Rep. Miller told us last year.
Representative Ron Miller, was the Chairman of the committee which regulates the state’s unemployment program.
“I will be talking to the appropriate people to see what we think could be done to put safeguards in to stop such a thing,” Miller commented.
The state followed through. CBS 21 learned the Department of Labor and Industry has partnered with the PA Justice Network to unveil a new cross-match system.
The system will identify county inmates who are collecting unemployment and stop the checks from being issued, saving taxpayers millions every year.
“I think it’s one of those things that, the public, after the story, expressed their outrage that such a thing could happen,” Rep. Miller stated. “So it’s very important that we really check and make sure we save every penny we can in system. Twelve million dollars is not insignificant.”
If you would like to see the story, Inmates on Unemployment, we did last year that led to this change, the entire video is below. Also, a follow-up story we did is attached as a video.
This change is estimated to save taxpayers $12 million every year. The former Chairman of the House Labor and Industry Committee which oversees the state’s unemployment system says our story helped lead to this change.
“The story helped to bring it to the forefront and get a lot of people talking about it,” commented Rep. Ron Miller, former Chairman of the Department of Labor and Industry.
Last year, we introduced you to a man who told us he did not have any guilt.
He cheated the system by collecting an unemployment check while behind bars. He told us how easy it was and we learned the state had no idea it was happening.
“You have brought this to my attention at this point in time,” Rep. Miller told us last year.
Representative Ron Miller, was the Chairman of the committee which regulates the state’s unemployment program.
“I will be talking to the appropriate people to see what we think could be done to put safeguards in to stop such a thing,” Miller commented.
The state followed through. CBS 21 learned the Department of Labor and Industry has partnered with the PA Justice Network to unveil a new cross-match system.
The system will identify county inmates who are collecting unemployment and stop the checks from being issued, saving taxpayers millions every year.
“I think it’s one of those things that, the public, after the story, expressed their outrage that such a thing could happen,” Rep. Miller stated. “So it’s very important that we really check and make sure we save every penny we can in system. Twelve million dollars is not insignificant.”
If you would like to see the story, Inmates on Unemployment, we did last year that led to this change, the entire video is below. Also, a follow-up story we did is attached as a video.