South Asheville News

U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) has introduced a new bill aimed at reforming unemployment benefits and encouraging Americans to return to work. The Unemployment Integrity (UI) Act, as it is called, includes interview requirements for individuals seeking unemployment insurance (UI) benefits.

The legislation proposed by Congressman Edwards would mandate states to establish minimum interview requirements for UI claimants. This would involve responding to, scheduling, and attending an offered interview at an agreed-upon time. Additionally, claimants would be expected to complete any other reasonable requests as part of the hiring process, such as drug testing or skills assessments.

Congressman Edwards highlighted the challenges faced by business owners in Western North Carolina when it comes to hiring new staff. He mentioned that despite offering competitive wages and benefits, many job applicants fail to show up for scheduled interviews while still receiving unemployment benefits. This situation places an unnecessary burden on small businesses that are already operating with limited resources.

In order to address these issues and prevent abuse of the unemployment benefit system, Congressman Edwards introduced the Unemployment Integrity Act. This legislation aims to hold individuals accountable and promote a more efficient and effective job search process. By establishing interview requirements for UI claimants, the bill aims to empower workers, businesses, and consumers, helping individuals get back to work and contribute to the nation.

The UI Act also encourages states to establish a mechanism for employers to report UI claimants who are not fulfilling the work-search or interview requirements. Additionally, the Department of Labor (DOL) would be required to conduct a study on the impact of increasing the minimum number of audits for federal unemployment compensation. If the study indicates that increasing audits would improve states' administration of unemployment benefits, the DOL would adopt the necessary changes.

The proposed Unemployment Integrity Act has received support from various stakeholders. Nathaniel E. Cannady, President of the Council of Independent Business Owners, expressed gratitude to Congressman Edwards for introducing the legislation. Cannady believes that the bill will be beneficial in curbing unemployment fraud and protecting small-business owners.

The NC Chamber also supports the Unemployment Integrity Act, with Jake Cashion, Vice President of Government Affairs, stating that the policy would safeguard the integrity and solvency of the unemployment insurance system. Cashion highlighted the bill's potential to improve connections between unemployed workers and employers with job openings, ensuring that individuals are available for work and respond to job opportunities and interviews.

Stephanie Ferguson, Director of Global Employment Policy & Special Initiatives at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, commended Congressman Edwards for his efforts in strengthening the unemployment insurance system. Ferguson expressed the Chamber's support for reforms that enhance the program for both businesses and workers.

The need for unemployment reforms has become increasingly evident in recent years. The Department of Labor estimates that there has been at least $163 billion in unemployment fraud since 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed vulnerabilities in the system, as claimants were required to search for and accept work but had no obligation to attend interviews when offered – a crucial component of any job search.

With the introduction of the Unemployment Integrity Act, Congressman Chuck Edwards aims to address these challenges and promote a more accountable and efficient unemployment benefits system. The bill's interview requirements for UI claimants seek to ensure that individuals actively engage in the job search process, ultimately helping them secure employment and contribute to the nation's workforce.

To learn more, click on this link: https://edwards.house.gov/media/press-releases/edwards-introduces-bill-reform-unemployment-benefits-promote-work