MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS LABOR NEWS Matt Blunt, Governor      Rod Chapel, Director

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:  Cynthia Quetsch (573) 751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 23, 2007

Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Division of Employment Security today announced nearly $2,148,907 was collected in unemployment insurance (UI) delinquent taxes, penalties, interest and benefit overpayments from employers and claimants in December 2006.

"Actively collecting delinquent UI taxes and overpaid benefits helps to restore the solvency of Missouri’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund,” said Rod Chapel, director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. “Improving the solvency of the Trust Fund is a benefit to all Missouri businesses that pay unemployment taxes.”

In December 2006, the Division collected $891,890.98 in restitution for overpaid benefits and monetary penalties from claimants.  The Division of Employment Security investigates individuals that have allegedly received improper unemployment benefits.  The most common reasons for improper payment are the collection of UI benefits after returning to work or concealing information on the weekly claim that would have made them ineligible for benefits. 

In addition to overpaid benefits and investigating claimant fraud, the Division collects unemployment insurance delinquent taxes, penalties and interest from employers.  In December, the Division collected $1,257,015.78 in delinquent taxes, penalties and interest from employers.  Penalties are imposed if an employer fails to file any required report by the specified due date.  Interest accrues on contributions that are due and unpaid after each quarterly due date. 

For more information regarding the Division of Employment Security or to report potential unemployment insurance fraud, call (573) 751 – 3215 or visit www.dolir.mo.gov/es.