Stop Unemployment Fraud Act
Sponsored By: Senator Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced
Summary
Tight identity checks to stop unemployment benefit fraud. This bill would require claimants to prove their identity and use federal-state data matching plus stricter work-search rules to detect and prevent improper payments.
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- Claimants: Would have to submit at least one current government ID plus one supporting document such as a utility bill or lease. Self-attestation could not be the only proof and weekly work-search records would be required for regular claimants.
- State agencies: Would need certified identity-verification systems and to use a designated integrity data hub that matches against the National Directory of New Hires, Social Security death records, and incarceration information. The Department of Labor could withhold 5 percent of certain funds from States that do not comply.
- Program administration: The bill would stop the “pay and chase” model by making benefit payments payable only after required verifications are complete and would allow States to use up to 5 percent of recovered overpayments to fund integrity, modernization, and enforcement efforts.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
New ID and job-search checks
If enacted, you who claim unemployment would need a current government photo ID plus another supporting document. You could not be paid until identity checks and eligibility are complete. You would no longer be able to rely only on self-attestation for weekly eligibility. You would also need to register for employment services, keep a weekly written job-search record, and give that record to the State each week. The Labor Secretary would set ID rules within 12 months, payment-timing rules within 180 days, and work-search guidance within 6 months. These rules would apply to applications and certifications starting two years after enactment.
Expanded cross-checks to stop fraud
If enacted, States would have to use the Labor Department's designated integrity data hub or an approved system to cross-check claimant records. States would match against new-hire, employer, incarceration, and Social Security death records. These checks would be required for certain program exceptions and to verify employment quickly and recover improper payments.
States can keep 5% of recoveries
If enacted, a State with the required certifications would be able to deposit up to 5 percent of each recovered overpayment or collected contribution into a State fund. The money could pay for fraud detection, worker classification reviews, UI technology modernization, or be contributed to the State's Unemployment Trust Fund account. This authority would apply to recoveries collected after the two-year period following enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Lankford, James [R-OK]
OK • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
ID • R
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
MT • R
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov