The U.S. Department of Justice has received reports that fraudsters are creating websites mimicking unemployment benefit websites, including state workforce agency (SWA) websites, and Facebook pages to unlawfully capture consumers’ personal information.

To lure consumers to these fake websites, fraudsters send spam text messages and emails purporting to be from an SWA and containing a link. The fake websites are designed to trick consumers into thinking they are applying for unemployment benefits and disclosing personally identifiable information and other sensitive data. That information can then be used by fraudsters to commit identity theft.

Unless from a known and verified source, Delawarean’s should never click on links in text messages or emails claiming to be from an organization offering the opportunity to apply for, expedite, or resolve issues you may have with unemployment insurance benefits. Instead, anyone needing to apply for, or address concerns regarding unemployment benefits should go to the official unemployment benefits website, which can be found at: 

•  https://uicc.delawareworks.com/

Schemes that use links embedded in unsolicited text messages and emails in attempts to obtain personally identifiable information are commonly referred to as phishing schemes. Phishing messages may look like they come from government agencies, financial intuitions, shipping companies, and social media companies, among many others. 

Carefully examine any message purporting to be from a company and do not click on a link in an unsolicited email or text message. Remember that the Delaware Department of Labor generally does not contact you to ask for your username or password. When in doubt, contact the entity purportedly sending you the message, but do not rely on any contact information in the potentially fraudulent message. 

The Delaware Department of Labor does use Facebook to inform the public of changes, updates, and general information regarding the agency. You can find our official Facebook page at 

• https://www.facebook.com/DelawareDOL

Our Facebook page has been verified by a “Blue Check Mark,” immediately following our page name as it is listed on the Facebook page. We will never request your username, password, social security number, full address, etc.. over the Facebook platform. 

If you receive a text message or email claiming to be from the Delaware Department of Labor and containing a link that requests your username and password, please report the communication to the Delaware Department of Labor at UI Fraud Division by calling (302) 761-8397 or by sending an email to UIFraud@Delaware.gov

You may also contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) by calling 866-720-5721 or using the NCDF Web Complaint Form found at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud.

If you believe you may have entered information into a fraudulent website, resources on how to protect your information can be found at http://www.identitytheft.gov.

To read the full press release from the United States Department of Justice visit https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-warns-about-fake-unemployment-benefit-websites

To learn more about identifying and protecting yourself from phishing attempts, go to https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams or https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/spoofing-and-phishing.

Further information about the SWA-imposter scheme, and other major scams targeting American consumers, can be found on the Justice Department’s Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force website: https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch/transnational-elder-fraud-strike-force.

For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch, visit http://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.

The Delaware Department of Labor connects people to jobs, resources, monetary benefits, workplace protections, and labor market information to promote financial independence, workplace justice, and a strong economy. 

For more information on support services and training opportunities, please visit http://labor.delaware.gov

HB 65 waives state income taxes on unemployment benefits for 2020

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday signed House Bill 65, which provides unemployment tax relief for Delawareans and businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The legislation – sponsored by Representative Ed Osienski and Senator Jack Walsh – waives 2020 state income tax on unemployment benefits collected by Delawareans who lost a job or income over the course of the year.

Click here to watch the virtual bill signing.

Click here for important information for tax filers taking the 2020 unemployment benefit exemption.  

“This past year, we significantly expanded unemployment benefits to support Delawareans and businesses most affected by the COVID-19 crisis. We shouldn’t then turn around and tax them on that income,” said Governor Carney. “Thank you to Representative Osienski, Senator Walsh and all members of the General Assembly for helping make this legislation a priority.”

“Thousands of hard-working Delawareans have lost their jobs during the past year through no fault of their own, putting them in a difficult position at one of the worst times possible. We owe it to those impacted by the pandemic to take whatever action we can to ease their burden,” said Representative Ed Osienski, D-Brookside, the lead sponsor of the bill. “Exempting the unemployment benefits that have been a lifeline to so many families will mean that they aren’t blindsided when they file their state taxes this year, keeping a little more money in their pockets. We’re also taking steps to protect businesses so they aren’t penalized with higher taxes during the pandemic, which hopefully will help them keep their doors open.”

“Taxes are quickly coming due for thousands of Delawareans who have made less, had fewer opportunities, and been put out of work by the pandemic,” said Senator Jack Walsh, D-Stanton, the lead Senate sponsor of the bill. “In a tax year defined by unemployment and shuttered businesses, it’s on all of us in state government to extend relief that is straightforward, effective, and gets where it needs to go on time. This bill does that, both for our small businesses and for the tens of thousands of workers who filed for unemployment last year. I am proud to have worked on this legislation and I thank the Governor for signing it in time to do the most good.”

Watch the virtual bill signing on Facebook, YouTube, and Livestream.

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January 7, 2021
For Immediate Release
Kenneth Briscoe

Expiration and Extension of CARES Act Unemployment Insurance Programs by Congress

[WILMINGTON, DE] – On December 27, the federal COVID-19 relief package that extends and provides additional federal unemployment benefits was signed into law. The Delaware Department of Labor has reviewed the legislation and the process of programming the four extended and additional programs in our unemployment compensation system is nearing completion. 

As a result of our agency’s quick response in initial program implementation, some eligible claimants began to receive the additional $300.00 weekly benefit payment on Monday, January 4, 2021. 

However, we are waiting to receive complete and detailed guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor for each program to complete implementation and all eligible claimants in Delaware are paid. States cannot move forward without this critical guidance and it is likely that guidance will be issued early in the new year. As more guidance is received, Delaware will modify our unemployment compensation system and complete implementation of each program as quickly as possible to bring much-needed relief to eligible claimants. 

Please note that while there will be no gap in benefit eligibility because the PUA, PEUC, FPUC, and MEUC programs are retroactive to the week ending Saturday, January 2, 2021, for eligible claimants, there may be a delay in the receipt of payment. However, rest assured that claimants will receive all benefits they are eligible for, and claims will be backdated to their earliest date of eligibility within the extended and additional programs.

The Delaware Department of Labor will communicate to all claimants with instructions as soon as they may file for benefits from the extended and additional programs.

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To view the latest frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) regarding the recent The CARES ACT Extension of  Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Delaware as a result of COVID-19, please visit https://de.gov/morecares

To view the FAQ’s for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Delaware please visit
https://de.gov/pua

To view the FAQ’s for Unemployment Insurance Benefits for the Self- Employed in Delaware please visit https://labor.delaware.gov/divisions/unemployment-insurance/unemployment-benefits-faqs/

If you wish to receive email updates regarding unemployment benefits in Delaware please visit  https://de.gov/UICOVID19Updates. For text message updates please text the words UIFACTS to 56525 from your mobile phone. (individual carrier rates may apply) 

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WILMINGTON, Del. – FRIDAY APRIL 17, 2020 – The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability Act (CARES Act) created a new program called Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), which provides 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits to eligible workers.

How and when can I apply for the 13 week extension of unemployment benefits?
If your benefits exhausted or expired between the dates of July 1, 2019 and Saturday, April 18, 2020, you will need to apply for the 13-week extension after 8:00 AM on Sunday April 19, 2020 by visiting ui.delawareworks.com and completing an application for benefits

If you are currently receiving unemployment insurance benefits and they will not exhaust or expire until after Sunday April 19, 2020, you do not have to take any action. When your current benefits have been exhausted, your additional 13-week extension will automatically begin.

What you need to know
Beginning March 29, 2020, for any week you are eligible to receive PEUC benefits, you will also be eligible for the $600 additional federal payment.

Under the CARES Act, you will continue to receive your same unemployment benefit amount during the 13 week extension. That amount will not be recalculated. You will also receive the $600 per week of additional federal compensation.

CARES ACT BACKGROUND
Congress recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). This law includes several programs to expand eligibility for unemployment benefits during this health emergency.
These changes include:

$600 per week additional compensation for people receiving unemployment benefits.

An extension of unemployment benefits for up to 13 weeks.

Provides eligibility for workers who typically do not qualify for traditional unemployment insurance, such as: independent contractors, self-employed individuals, employees of faith based non-profits, and others) View the guidelines here.

Delaware was one of the first states in the nation to begin implementation of the CARES Act. Disbursement of the $600 per week additional federal benefit to Delaware unemployment insurance recipients began during the week of April 5th; one week after passage of the law.

To view our most updated frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) regarding unemployment insurance, and to be notified when the application for benefits is available for self-employed individuals and independent contractors in Delaware, text uifacts to 555888.

Additional resources are available on our websites at dol.delaware.gov or ui.delawareworks.com. You can also call our offices at 302-761-8446.
Call hold time is longer than usual. For a quicker response please email uiclaims@delaware.gov. Include your full name, including middle initial, contact information and claim number.

To process an initial claim for unemployment benefits please visit ui.delawareworks.com

Delawareans with questions about coronavirus [COVID-19] or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 or 711 for people who are hearing impaired from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or email DPHCall@delaware.gov . For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

[WILMINGTON, DE] THURSDAY APRIL 16, 2020 – The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act recently passed by the United States Congress and signed into law on March 27th provides unemployment assistance to independent contractors and those self-employed who have been affected by the Coronavirus.

Most state’s unemployment systems determine eligibility and process payments for workers whose wages are reported by their employers and verified through the Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI). In order to begin processing claims for this new category of eligible individuals and prevent fraud, abuse and identity theft, the Federal US Department of Labor requires that states design new systems to pay benefits to independent contractors/self-employed and ensure the validity of their claims.

Delaware Department of Labor (DOL) is currently working with a vendor to design and test new technologies that will integrate with our existing benefits claims system. This technology will allow the Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI) to verify earnings reported to the IRS and determine the eligibility of independent contractors and the self-employed to apply for benefits under the (CARES) Act.

We anticipate that these workers will be able to apply through this new system within 3-6 weeks. We will provide more details regarding implementation and how to apply on our website next week.

“The hardship that the coronavirus pandemic has placed on Delaware workers is unprecedented. These workers will receive the much-needed assistance provided to them under the CARES Act. We are working around the clock to make that happen; Hopefully, ahead of schedule” said Cerron Cade, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Labor.

Once the system is ready to receive applications from those who are self-employed or are independent contractors, DOL will require specific documentation available at the time you submit your application online. The documents you will need are as follows:

• Driver license or State issued Identification
• Your last year’s income tax statement or quarterly earnings statement
• State of Delaware Business License number
• Current bank account number and routing number

To date, DOL has processed and paid 70% of initial claims for benefits submitted to their offices since March 1st and is currently paying more than $30 million in benefits to affected workers each week. The agency has received more than 60,000 claims in 4 weeks; nearly double the total number of claims received in 2019.

To view our most updated frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) regarding unemployment insurance, and to be notified when the application for benefits is available for self-employed individuals and independent contractors in Delaware, text uifacts to 555888.

Additional resources are available on our websites at dol.delaware.gov or ui.delawareworks.com. You can also call our offices at 302-761-8446. Call hold time is longer than usual. For a quicker response please email uiclaims@delaware.gov. Include your full name, including middle initial, contact information and claim number.

To process an initial claim for unemployment benefits please visit ui.delawareworks.com

Delawareans with questions about coronavirus [COVID-19] or their exposure risk can call the Division of Public Health’s Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-408-1899 or 711 for people who are hearing impaired from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or email DPHCall@delaware.gov. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.