(The Legislature adjourned May 21; this represents the most recent report from the VDOL.)
Figure 2 shows the spike in suspected fraudulent claims.
Peak was April 25, 2020, and last bar is May 15, 2021
VDOL tables as prepared for the Legislature. Click HERE to see full report.
During the benefit week ending May 15th there were 28,406 weekly claims filed. This is a decrease of 3,750 continued claims filed over the previous benefit week. During the week ending May 15, $9,040,843 in benefits were paid out to claimants.
Claimants have started to enter work search information on weekly claims if they do not qualify for an exemption. Earlier last week, an issue prompted some claimants to enter work search information when they should have been exempt (e.g. self-employed, independent contractor, etc.) and others who were not prompted to enter work search information when they should have been.