CONNECTICUT – STATES CONTINUE TO WARN OF DATA BREACHES, IDENTITY THEFT, AND SUBSEQUENT FRAUDULENT UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS

Employers with a workforce in Connecticut may see an increase in fraudulent claim activity due to recent data breaches. Even though this data breach is not connected to Thomas & Company nor the state, it is important to remain vigilant and ensure thorough review of incoming claims and claim activity.

Employers who receive a request for separation information for employees who are still active and working should be reminded that these claims represent potential identity theft. Reach out to your employee to confirm that they did not file for benefits. When you become aware of a fraudulent unemployment claim, it is important to communicate this to the Thomas & Company team as soon as possible so we can alert the state. Submit relevant information to your claims team via SHIELD or email.

LOUISIANA – CHANGES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026

Louisiana recently announced some important changes that will take effect on January 1, 2026, due to the health of the state unemployment trust fund.

The taxable wage base for 2026 will decrease to $7,000 from the current level of $7,700, resulting in a 9.1% reduction for employers.

The maximum weekly benefit amount for claimants will increase from $275 to $282.

NEW MEXICO – DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) availability has been extended for individuals in Lincoln and Dona Ana counties who were impacted by the storms, flooding, and landslides that occurred on June 23, 2025. The application deadline is now October 15, 2025.

It is recommended that individuals file as soon as possible as applications filed after the deadline will be denied unless good cause is shown for filing late.

DUA applications may be filed by calling the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center at (877) 664-6984, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

As a reminder, DUA is an unemployment insurance benefit made available after a disaster and is only available to individuals who:

• Have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits from any state, or do not qualify for unemployment benefits.
• Worked or were self-employed or scheduled to begin work or self-employment in the disaster area.
• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.
• Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster.
• Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household.

WISCONSIN – DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available to individuals in Milwaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties who were impacted by the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and mudslides that occurred Aug. 9, 2025 through Aug. 12, 2025.

All DUA applicants must first apply for regular UI benefits before being considered for DUA benefits. Individuals will not receive DUA benefits if they are eligible for regular UI benefits during this disaster. Individuals should file as soon as possible by applying online at my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov. Applicants who need help using online services, or are unable to go online, should call the DUA Hotline at (608) 318-7100 during business hours.

Workers in Milwaukee County, Washington County, or Waukesha County, including those self-employed in farming or other businesses, must apply for benefits by Nov. 10, 2025. Applications filed after this date will not be considered timely, unless the individual provides good cause for filing after this date.