INDIANAPOLIS — More people are being hired to handle unemployment claims that are being appealed in Indiana.
This comes as the next wave of unemployment payments involving $300 are going out to Hoosiers. This includes 96,000 people.
Overall, the new funding will help Hoosiers through three new separate federal programs. This means this is a critical time to protect your personal information.
The state says criminals are using stolen personal identities to cash in on people's benefits.
A few days ago, the state shut down a fake website, but it's still not known how many people were tricked and gave up their information.
Payments can be delayed because of fraud or if an employer raises a challenge.
"We continue to try to reduce the amount of time people are waiting for their claim and appeal, so we have a third party, Navient, we have been working with appeals and setting-up hearings," said Fred Payne, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. "We are also hiring contractors to assist as ADL judges to help with the appeals process."
The hiring and training of the administrative law judges will begin as soon as possible.
Any sites other than in.gov/DWD should raise a red flag.
