Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act

Sponsor: Jason Smith (Republican-MO)February 10, 2025

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 29.

Extends time to prosecute fraud in pandemic unemployment programs

This bill would give prosecutors more time to go after people who committed fraud during the pandemic's unemployment programs. It would extend the deadline for bringing charges from typically 5 years to 10 years for certain types of fraud, but only if the original deadline hasn't already passed. This change would take effect immediately if signed into law.

What Would Change

Today, the government generally has a shorter time, often about 5 years, to prosecute fraud related to pandemic unemployment benefits. If this bill becomes law, the government would have up to 10 years to bring criminal charges or civil lawsuits for these specific types of fraud, as long as the original deadline had not already passed. This change would take effect immediately if the bill is signed into law.

Key Provisions

Extends the time limit to 10 years for prosecuting fraud related to Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims.
Extends the time limit to 10 years for prosecuting fraud related to Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation and Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation claims.
Extends the time limit to 10 years for prosecuting fraud related to Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation claims.
Rescinds $5,000,000 in unused government funds from a specific account.