Category Archives: Business Compliance & Risk Management

How Smart Employers Are Cutting Unemployment Costs (Without Cutting Corners)

Unemployment claims are often treated as an unavoidable cost of doing business—something to absorb and move on from. But that mindset is costing companies far more than they realize.

At Dunn Corporate Resources, we work with employers who are tired of watching their unemployment taxes climb year after year with little explanation and even less control. The reality? Many of those costs are preventable.

If your organization isn’t actively managing unemployment claims, you’re likely overpaying. Here’s why—and what you can do about it.

The Hidden Cost of Inaction

Unemployment insurance is experience-rated. That means every claim filed against your company can directly impact your tax rate—sometimes for years.

Yet many businesses:

Miss deadlines to respond to claims
Lack proper documentation to contest invalid filings
Don’t track patterns that lead to repeat claims
Assume claims are “just part of the process”

The result? Higher tax rates, unnecessary payouts, and zero accountability.

Where Companies Lose Money

Most overpayments come from a few common gaps:

1. Unchallenged Claims

Not every claim is valid. Former employees who quit voluntarily or were terminated for cause may not qualify—but if you don’t respond in time, the claim is often approved automatically.

2. Poor Documentation

Even when employers try to contest claims, weak or inconsistent documentation can lead to unfavorable outcomes.

3. Missed Deadlines

Unemployment agencies operate on strict timelines. A late response—even by a day—can mean losing your right to appeal.

4. No Strategy

Handling claims reactively instead of proactively leads to repeated issues and rising costs.

What Effective Cost Control Looks Like

Reducing unemployment costs isn’t about denying every claim—it’s about managing the process intelligently.

A strong unemployment cost control strategy includes:

Timely claim responses to protect your rights
Thorough documentation support to strengthen your position
Hearing representation when disputes escalate
Tax rate analysis to identify overcharges or errors
Trend tracking to prevent repeat issues

This is where most internal HR teams get stretched thin—and where expert support makes a measurable difference.

Why Employers Partner with Dunn Corporate Resources

Dunn Corporate Resources helps businesses take back control of their unemployment costs with a hands-on, results-driven approach.

Our team works as an extension of yours to:

Review and respond to claims quickly and accurately
Identify invalid claims and contest them effectively
Represent you in hearings to improve win rates
Monitor your unemployment tax rates for errors or savings opportunities
Provide insights that help prevent future claims

We don’t just manage claims—we help reduce the root causes behind them.

The ROI Is Real

Employers who actively manage unemployment claims often see:

Lower tax rates over time
Fewer successful claims against them
Reduced administrative burden on HR teams
Greater confidence in compliance and process

In many cases, the savings significantly outweigh the cost of professional support.

Take Control of Your Unemployment Costs

If you’re not sure whether you’re overpaying, there’s a good chance you are.

Dunn Corporate Resources can review your current unemployment claims and tax situation to identify opportunities for savings—often at no upfront cost.

Ready to stop overpaying?
Contact Dunn Corporate Resources today to schedule a consultation and see how much you could be saving.

New Jersey Employers: Accessing 2025 Year-End Temporary Disability Insurance Statements

As we kick off 2026, New Jersey employers have an important task on their to-do list: downloading the year-end statements for Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) benefits paid in 2025. These statements are essential for accurate tax reporting and compliance.

Why These Statements Matter

New Jersey’s Temporary Disability Insurance program provides wage replacement to employees unable to work due to non-work-related illnesses, injuries, or pregnancy recovery. While TDI benefits are not taxed by the state, a portion is considered federally taxable as third-party sick pay.

The New Jersey Division of Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance reports the taxable amounts directly to employers via year-end statements. Employers must include this information on employees’ W-2 forms (typically under “third-party sick pay” or “other wages”). Failing to do so can lead to IRS issues for your employees—and potential headaches for your HR team.

These statements are available online every January for the previous calendar year through the state’s myleavebenefits.nj.gov portal.

How to Access Your 2025 Year-End TDI Statements

Visit the NJ Division of Temporary Disability Insurance portal at myleavebenefits.nj.gov.
You’ll need:
- Your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), formatted as a 15-digit number (add a leading zero if needed and five trailing zeros—e.g., 123456789 becomes 012345678900000).
- Your permanent authorization code (mailed by the Department of Labor; if lost, retrieve it via Employer Access on the NJ Labor site).
Log in and download the statement—it’s that simple.

If you encounter issues, the state’s Employer Accounts division can assist with code retrieval.

Connecting TDI to Broader Unemployment Cost Control

Properly handling TDI reporting ties into effective overall cost management for New Jersey employers. While TDI and Unemployment Insurance (UI) are separate programs, both impact your payroll taxes and experience ratings.

Mismanaged claims or inaccurate reporting in either program can indirectly affect your UI experience rate, which determines your unemployment tax contributions. New Jersey’s UI rates are experience-based: higher chargeable benefits lead to higher rates.

Proactive strategies—like monitoring claims, contesting ineligible charges, and optimizing voluntary contributions—can significantly reduce your UI costs. With recent positive shifts in the UI trust fund (including lower tax tables in recent years), now is an ideal time to review your accounts for maximum savings.

Need Help? Contact Dunn Corporate Resources

Navigating TDI statements, W-2 reporting, and unemployment cost control doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Dunn Corporate Resources, we specialize in helping New Jersey employers minimize unemployment insurance costs through expert claims management, tax rate analysis, and compliance support.

Whether you have questions about downloading your TDI year-end statements, ensuring accurate W-2s, or uncovering UI savings opportunities, our team is here to help—with no-cost initial analyses available.

Contact us today to reach out to our specialists for personalized guidance. Let’s make 2026 your most cost-efficient year yet!

How to Spot and Stop Fraudulent Unemployment Claims Before They Cost You

Unemployment claims are a normal part of doing business; they help support employees during times of job loss. But in recent years, many employers have been facing a different challenge: fraudulent unemployment claims. These are claims made by individuals who were never your employees, or by employees who are misrepresenting their circumstances to collect benefits they aren’t entitled to.

The problem?
Fraudulent claims aren’t just an administrative headache; they can directly increase your unemployment tax rate, costing your business thousands of dollars each year. The good news is that with the right strategies, you can detect and stop these claims before they drain your resources.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the warning signs, prevention tips, and actionable steps to keep your unemployment costs under control.

Why Fraudulent Unemployment Claims Are on the Rise

Over the past few years, fraud has surged due to increased online filing systems, identity theft, and remote work, which makes verification harder. In some cases, criminals file claims using stolen identities. In others, employees misrepresent why they left a job to qualify for benefits.

For employers, the stakes are high. Even one fraudulent claim that goes unnoticed can:

Inflate your unemployment insurance tax rate.
Damage your company’s reputation with the state.
Drain valuable time and resources from your HR team.

This is why proactive detection and prevention aren’t optional; they’re essential.

How to Spot Fraudulent Unemployment Claims

Recognizing a suspicious claim early is your best defense. Here are some red flags to watch for:

1. Unfamiliar Names or Records

If you receive a claim notice for someone who was never on your payroll, it’s a clear sign of fraud. Cross-check the name, Social Security number, and employment dates against your records.

2. Current Employees Filing Claims

If an employee is still actively working but files a claim stating they were laid off or terminated, this is a red flag.

3. Incorrect Dates of Employment

Fraudulent claims often have mismatched hire and termination dates. A quick review of your HR system can confirm the facts.

4. Multiple Claims from the Same Address

When several claims list the same home address, but the individuals aren’t connected to your company, it could be part of a larger fraud scheme.

5. State Inquiries You Weren’t Expecting

If the state contacts you about wage details for an employee you don’t recall, investigate immediately.

Steps to Stop Fraudulent Claims in Their Tracks

Spotting suspicious activity is only half the battle, stopping it fast is where the savings happen.

1. Respond Promptly to All Claim Notices

Every unemployment claim has a deadline for an employer response. Missing it means you lose the chance to contest the claim, even if it’s fraudulent. Set up a process to review and reply to claims within 24–48 hours.

2. Maintain Accurate Employment Records

Up-to-date personnel files, payroll records, and timekeeping logs make it easier to verify or dispute claims quickly.

3. Educate Your HR and Payroll Teams

Train your staff to recognize fraud indicators and route suspicious claims to management immediately.

4. Notify the State Unemployment Office Quickly

If you suspect fraud, contact your state unemployment agency right away with supporting documentation. Many states have dedicated fraud hotlines or online reporting portals.

5. Work with an Unemployment Cost Control Partner

Specialized firms can monitor claims, track deadlines, and appeal questionable cases on your behalf, reducing both your workload and your costs.

Preventing Fraud Before It Happens

While quick detection is important, prevention saves the most money and stress. Here’s how you can make your business harder to target:

Secure Employee Data – Use encryption and limit access to sensitive personal information.
Exit Interviews and Documentation – Always document reasons for separation in detail; it helps when contesting false claims.
Payroll Audits – Conduct regular audits to ensure your records match actual employee status.
Employee Communication – Let current staff know to report any unemployment paperwork they receive if they haven’t left the company.

Why Acting Quickly Saves You Money

The unemployment insurance system calculates your tax rate based on the number and cost of claims charged to your account. If fraudulent claims slip through, they artificially inflate your history of payouts, which means:

Your tax rate increases, sometimes for multiple years.
You pay more per employee in unemployment insurance.

Even stopping one fraudulent claim can lead to significant savings over time.

Protect Your Bottom Line with Proactive Measures

Fraudulent unemployment claims aren’t just a government problem; they’re a business problem. By staying vigilant, maintaining accurate records, and responding quickly, you can protect your company’s finances and reputation.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process or unsure whether your current strategy is enough, partnering with experts in unemployment cost control can make all the difference. They can monitor claims for you, handle appeals, and ensure you only pay for legitimate cases.

Final Takeaway:
Fraudulent unemployment claims can sneak up on even the most organized business. The key is to spot them early, stop them fast, and prevent them altogether with a proactive, well-documented approach.

Need help protecting your business from costly claims?
Let our specialists review your unemployment and disability accounts at no cost, and see how much you could save.

Contact us today and keep fraud from eating into your bottom line.