CA EDD paid out $400 million in fraudulent claims while denying benefits to people who need them

Nearly nine months into this pandemic, many Californians are desperate for financial help. The $600 unemployment benefit from the federal government’s COVID relief package expired this summer.

As of last week, there’s still a backlog of more than 620,000 claims with the state’s Employment Development Department (EDD). The LA Times reports today that EDD paid out $400 million on tens of thousands of fraudulent claims. Those claims used the names of California prison inmates, including more than 100 on death row.

Credits

Guest:

  • David Chiu - member of California State Assembly, representing the 17th District

Host:

Madeleine Brand

Producers:

Sarah Sweeney, Michell Eloy, Amy Ta, Rosalie Atkinson, Brian Hardzinski, Angie Perrin, Nihar Patel