The Maine Department of Labor is pausing the processing of unemployment benefits for 48 hours to investigate fraud.
The department also said it’s reinstating its normal 10- to 14-day processing time for unemployment claims as it seeks to enhance security of the unemployment benefit system.
“The Maine Department of Labor takes its responsibility to uphold the integrity of the unemployment program very seriously,” Commissioner Laura Fortman said. “MDOL will continue to work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to investigate and prevent fraud while paying benefits to eligible Maine workers as quickly as possible.”
The state had expedited the processing of claims in response to unprecedented numbers of jobless claims. More than 138,000 Maine residents have filed a claim for unemployment benefits since March.