$6.2M in Unemployment Benefits Paid to Incarcerated Individuals

An audit shows that $6.2 million in unemployment benefits were paid to ineligible incarcerated individuals in Louisiana.

According to a report from KATC, the benefits were doled out to over 1,000 incarcerated individuals who were more than likely ineligible to receive them due to a Louisiana Workforce Commission policy.

LWC policy states that incarcerated individuals are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits because they are unable to obtain employment, which state law requires for individuals to be eligible for State and Federal UI benefits.

The report states that the individuals in question received the benefits while they were incarcerated between January and November of 2020.

In addition to the $6.2 million that went to ineligible incarcerated individuals, the report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office found that over $400 million in benefits were paid to workers who were likely ineligible.

See the full report and the audit here via KATC.

LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.