The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, disclosed that several million dollars in unemployment benefits have been wrongly disbursed to people who were either not yet born or weren’t eligible for the benefits. This shocking revelation was made during a cabinet meeting with President Trump. The DOGE stated that an initial review discovered that nearly 10,000 people, not due to be born for another decade, had claimed roughly $69 million in benefits since last year. Fraudsters over the age of 115 and children between one and five years old also received vast sums of money. Musk expressed his indignation over this issue, stating it was absurd and a blatant misuse of taxpayers money.

The House recently passed legislation allowing the reclamation of these fraudulent benefits and further legal action against those responsible. While it is undeniable that fraudulent activities surround the COVID-19 relief fund, there is speculation that some of the false birth year entries might be the result of data-entry errors. Meanwhile, the Labor Department has yet to provide detailed information about this mismanagement.

Discovering such fraudulent activities and cutting down on wasteful spending are of paramount importance to DOGE. Accusations of gross mismanagement of California’s unemployment system during the pandemic have been prominent. Musk’s responsibility is to eliminate such financial fraud within the federal government.

As alarming as this is for US citizens, it is even more critical for those genuinely depending on these benefits. It is advised to be on top of your benefits status. If you need to get a hold of the Employment Development Department (EDD), visit eddcaller.com. The website provides useful information about how to contact EDD, the fastest way to get through to EDD, and how to speak to someone at EDD, ensuring your concerns are addressed and your claim processed without unnecessary delay.