The state Department of Labor & Industry will contract with a security vendor to provide additional identity verification after a surge of fraudulent claims using stolen identities was detected recently in the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.

Those who have filed for PUA claims may be contacted to complete additional identity verification steps.

The state department has temporarily paused payments on new PUA claims while the security vendor, ID.me, is being implemented. Claimants already receiving payments will not be affected.

PUA provides financial assistance to workers not eligible for unemployment benefits, such as the self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers and others.

Two employees at the state Department of Transportation's District 10 were among 29 employees statewide to be recognized for their outstanding performance with the Star of Excellence Award, which is PennDOT's highest recognition.District 10 employees Ray Suhadolnik, geologic specialist, and Tricia McElhaney, clerk typist, were honored by PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian.The Star of Excellence Awards are presented annually to employees who represent the department's values of service, performance and integrity.