MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s yearly unemployment benefit payments have fallen by more than half since 2010, pulling the trust fund out of a $1.3 billion deficit. Following the recession, many states had diminished or insolvent unemployment insurance trust funds. Wisconsin has worked to address its deficit by tightening eligibility requirements, cutting down on fraud and increasing recuperation of overpayments. According to Department of Workforce Development data, unemployment benefit payments have declined steadily since 2010, dropping from almost $1.3 billion to $535 million in 2015. Meanwhile, the trust fund has climbed out of a $1.3 billion deficit to a positive $743 million. Much of the change is due to an improving economy and declining unemployment claims mirroring nationwide trends, but the reduction in compensation also stems from a smaller percentage of claims being compensated.
