Sen. Lorraine Berry said Tuesday she is concerned about the growing number of people contacting her office because Workers' Compensation can't pay claims to people injured on the job.
As a result of the failure of the government to make payment to the Government Insurance Fund, there is a negative balance in the fund of $154,000, according to an unaudited report. The deficit is due to the government's failure to pay more than $6.5 million owed to the fund from 1983 to 1999.
The outstanding debt was brought to light during the recent Finance Committee budget hearings.
Berry's concern for disabled workers who may not be receiving benefits to which they are entitled prompted Berry to send a letter to Gov. Charles W. Turnbull saying the Food Stamp Program can issue emergency food stamps only in a state of emergency declared by President Clinton.
However, Berry said, Human Services Commissioner Sedonie Halbert suggested that people in need might qualify for assistance from her department.
Berry said she had been told that for lack of the funds owed them under Workers' Compensation, people were unable to purchase food, pay for electricity or make their mortgage payments.
"I think it's illegal that the government hasn't paid into the fund," Berry told St. Thomas Source.