In any unemployment benefits program, overpayments can occur, either as the result of intentional fraud, or as the result of miscalculations or other errors.
Because of a lack of clarity on the application form for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits, a small percentage of PUA claimants mistakenly over-reported profits, which resulted in an overpayment of benefits on some claims.
- I received a PUA overpayment notice with a reason of monetary redetermination. Will I be required to repay the overpayment balance?
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Possibly. Benefit overpayments must typically be repaid, but because the application language was not as clear as it could have been, we are writing off the remaining overpayment balance for claimants who submitted their required tax documentation in a timely manner. We have directly contacted claimants who are eligible for these write-offs. If you did not receive such a communication, it is because you do not meet the eligibility criteria to have your overpayment balance written off and you must repay any benefit overpayments.
- I was told my remaining overpayment balance would be written off, but I had already repaid some or all of the overpayment. Is there anything I can do to get that money back?
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If your remaining overpayment balance was written off, but you had already repaid some or all of your overpayment, you have the option to file an appeal if you believe you should not have been required to repay any part of the amount.
However, filing an appeal does not guarantee that you will recover any funds. As part of the appeals process, you may be required to submit certain documentation or evidence.
To appeal an overpayment resulting from a monetary redetermination, log in to your PUA account and go to Correspondence. In the Correspondence section, you will find an Updated Notice of Wages Reported and Possible Charges. Follow the instructions on page 2 and return the form and any other documentation as instructed on the form. Your information will be reviewed and scheduled for an appeal as appropriate.
If an appeal is scheduled, you will receive a Notice of Unemployment Insurance Appeal Hearing with instructions to participate in the appeal. Be sure to read the notice carefully. Please keep in mind that submitting an appeal does not automatically mean the overpayment will be removed. The appeal process will determine whether the overpayment should be removed.
- I received an overpayment but haven’t received any notice that my balance will be written off. What can I do?
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We have directly contacted all claimants who are eligible to receive a write-off of their remaining overpayment balance. If you did not receive such a communication, it is because you do not meet the eligibility criteria to have your overpayment balance written off and you must repay any benefit overpayments.
If you disagree with this determination, you have the option to file an appeal. However, filing an appeal does not guarantee that your overpayment balance will be forgiven or that you will be reimbursed for any repayments you have already made. As part of the appeals process, you may be required to submit certain documentation or evidence.
To appeal an overpayment resulting from a monetary redetermination, log in to your PUA account and go to Correspondence. In the Correspondence section, you will find an Updated Notice of Wages Reported and Possible Charges. Follow the instructions on page 2 and return the form and any other documentation as instructed on the form. Your information will be reviewed and scheduled for an appeal as appropriate.
If an appeal is scheduled, you will receive a Notice of Unemployment Insurance Appeal Hearing with instructions to participate in the appeal. Be sure to read the notice carefully. Please keep in mind that submitting an appeal does not automatically mean the overpayment will be removed. The appeal process will determine whether the overpayment should be removed.