ATLANTA – State Representative Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), along with other members of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus Subcommittee on COVID-19, recently submitted a letter to U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson calling for the U.S. Congress to investigate the Georgia Department of Labor’s (GDOL) Unemployment Insurance (UI) payment processes.
“The public that applied for unemployment insurance payments deserve the respect of a response at a minimum from the Georgia Department of Labor in a timely manner,” said Rep. Davis. “If the U.S. Department of Labor can provide millions of dollars to address the issue of fraud, our state can provide a quarter of that amount to respond to the many questions and concerns of the people waiting for their claims to be addressed and paid.”
These legislators are calling on Congress to examine valid processed Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims in Georgia that have not been paid, including claim benefits provided by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. They also request that Congress analyze various possible discrepancies of data reported in recent GDOL press releases, as well as an overall audit of the state and federal UI funding.
Their letter claims that the GDOL has failed to comply with a federal statute that requires promptness in the payment of unemployment benefits to eligible claimants. To address this, the legislators request that the U.S. Department of Labor initiate an informal discussion with GDOL officials, conduct an evaluation of the state’s benefits payment processes and analyze the reasons for failing to pay eligible claims. Additionally, these legislators are calling for the federal government to consult with Governor Brian Kemp regarding consequences for noncompliance and propose the use of federal staff to assist the GDOL with its payment operations.
The GHDC COVID-19 subcommittee members include GHDC Chairman James Beverly (D-Macon), as well as State Representatives Debra Bazemore (D-South Fulton), Roger Bruce (D-Atlanta), Rhonda Burnough (D-Riverdale), Shelly Hutchinson (D-Snellville), Donna McLeod (D-Lawrenceville), Mary Robichaux (D-Roswell), Sandra Scott (D-Rex), Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) and Erica Thomas (D-Austell).
Representative Viola Davis represents the citizens of District 87, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Insurance, Interstate Cooperation and Science and Technology committees.
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