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LA Workforce Commission Halts 30,000 Unemployment Claims Pending Review

Courtesy: Chuck Smith / Red River Radio News

LA UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS -  A Louisiana  official  says  an unexpected  spike in unemployment claims appears to be a combination of a large number of unemployed workers moving from one program to another  and criminals  trying  to game  the system for  jobless benefits.   According to the Advocate, payment on more than 30,000 claims  filed  over  the  past  two  weeks  for unemployment  benefits  were halted  last week by the Louisiana Workforce  Commission  so  the claims  could  be  reviewed for validity.
The  state  agency  already  has  stopped  more than 160,000  questionable  unemployment  claims  since  the  coronavirus  pandemic-related disruptions  have  forced  businesses  to  cut  hours  and  layoff  workers.   Governor  John  Bel Edwards' office issued a statement Monday,  saying the Workforce Commission  is reviewing all the suspicious  unemployment  claims  filed  and is taking extra steps to ensure more security.
 

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.