News12 New York
N12 Originals
Numbers & Links
Local
Crime
Weather
Politics
Taxing Long Island
Stony Brook Medicine
Celebrating America's 250th

US Government Accountability Office pegs pandemic unemployment fraud at $135 billion

That would amount to 15% of total unemployment benefits distributed during the pandemic.

News 12 Staff

Sep 13, 2023, 6:17 AM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

As much as $135 billion in fraudulent COVID-19 pandemic unemployment insurance claims were likely paid out, according to a report released Tuesday by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

That would amount to 15% of total unemployment benefits distributed during the pandemic. It is also an increase from another $60 billion estimate in January.

However, the Department of Labor says the GAO is likely overestimating the actual amount of fraud.

More Stories

Top Stories

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices