Statement from Upstate United Regarding Comptroller DiNapoli’s Bombshell Report on the Department of Labor’s Unemployment Insurance Failures

November 15th, 2022

The following statement is attributable to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United 

“The damning report released today by Comptroller Tom DiNapoli must be a wake-up call for Governor Hochul and legislators.

The New York State Department of Labor’s numerous failures show a total disregard for New Yorkers who needed help during the pandemic as well as employers who continue to bear the burden of the state’s ongoing unemployment insurance crisis.

Per the Comptroller’s report, New York State paid out at least $11 billion in fraudulent claims from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021. It’s worth noting that’s a larger sum than the $7.7 billion that New York owes the federal government for covering unemployment insurance claims during the pandemic.

This stunning incompetence demands immediate accountability and action. Governor Hochul should pledge to fully refund the $159 million that employers were forced to pay through an interest assessment surcharge in September. Additionally, Governor Hochul and legislative leaders must pay down New York’s $7.7 billion debt to the federal government.

Working together to resolve New York’s unemployment insurance crisis will ultimately benefit consumers, workers and employers. Let’s get it done.”