Boards, Commissions & Councils collapsed link, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs, Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services, MiSTEM Advisory Council and MiSTEM Network, Workers' Disability Compensation Appeals Commission, https://dev.michigan.local/som/json?sc_device=json, UIA secures federal approval to suspend overpayment collections for nearly 400,000 claimants, Go to Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, Go to Michigan Career & Technical Institute, Go to Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Go to Michigan High-Speed Internet Office, Go to Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Go to Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Go to Office of Mobility and Electrification, Requests for Proposals and Qualifications, Go to Workers' Disability Compensation Agency, Go to Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Go to Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs, Go to Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan, Go to Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, Go to Michigan Community Service Commission, Go to Michigan Council on Future Mobility, Go to Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services, Go to Michigan Workforce Development Board, Go to MiSTEM Advisory Council and MiSTEM Network, Go to Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission, Go to Workers' Disability Compensation Appeals Commission. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. The agency said it continues to work with its software vendor FAST Enterprises and the Michigan Department of Technology, Managementand Budget toidentify other groups of claimants who might also qualify for an overpayment waiver. WebThe UIA is responsible for collecting overpayments of unemployment benefits. To find out if they can help you, apply online or call 1-888-783-8190 Monday - Thursday, 9am - 5pm, or Friday, 9am - 1pm. To date, the agency said it has waived more than $4.3 billion in overpayment debt for more than 400,000 claimants. UIA 1901 (Spanish) - Unemployment Benefits in Michigan. If the UIA believes you were overpaid, they will send you a letter. Julia Dale, the director of the agency, told state lawmakers in early April that the agency expectedto send out waivers over this past weekendto about 382,000 claimants who received overpayment letters. Previously, a February 7, 2022 press announcement, the Governor and Unemployment Agency Director Julia Dale announced that the States Unemployment Agency intends to act quickly to halt collections and issue overpayment waivers. Due to the intense volume, we are not able to answer individual questions or provide individual representation on UI matters. WebUIA 1795 - Request to Waive Repayment of Benefit Overpayment Balance UIA 1925 - Request for Name and/or Address Change UIA 6102 Authorization for UIA to Release Confidential If you cant show good cause, the decision that you were overpaid will become final. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. If a waiver does not apply, collections will resume. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced Friday that those who wrongfully received Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits will be The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. WebYou can request a waiver from your state if repaying the overage will cause a financial hardship if the overage is not the result of fraud. Workers under fire recently from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency for overpayments to them of federal benefits during the pandemic will now receive a waiver, the state said Friday. In June, claimants were asked to requalify for PUA by providing the agency with the necessary information to remain eligible for the federal program. currently being considered by Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Brock Swartzle. If you don't have the documents available, you can make the protest without them. Support for Michigan Legal Help is provided by: Copyright 2023 Michigan Legal Help. Working off the Clock Alro Steel FLSA Overtime Pay Lawsuit, The End of Forced Arbitration for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment, Repayment would cause financial hardship; or, The claimant relied on the payment or notice of payment and gave up a valuable right or changed positions for the worse; or. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. To date, more than $4.3 billion in overpayments have been waived for 400,000 Michigan unemployment recipients with likely thousands more still waiting. Once you have logged into your account, click on the "Determination Status" tab, and then click on "file an appeal.". In late December 2022, Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) said it would temporarily stop trying to collect overpayments from people who filed for unemployment insurance since March 1, 2020. This means the UIA should stop sending collection letters or doing anything else to make people pay these overpayments. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced today that it has issued another round of waivers to approximately 7,300 state and federal COVID-19 For example, a message to the UIA could say "I am writing to ask that the Unemployment Insurance Agency send a determination saying whether or not the overpayment is the result of agency error." Reassigned staff and resources to address the largest categories of claims that are contributing to the agencys case backlog. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced that it has issued waivers to approximately 7,300 state and federal COVID-19 jobless claims from workers in Michigan. Gretchen Whitmer supported Michigan's use of waivers from the Department of Labor, stressing that, "No one who followed the rules and received benefits through no fault of their own should have to pay back money to the federal government.". For more information on the Financial Hardship Waiver and how to find it on your MiWAM account, visit page 89 of the MiWAM Toolkit for Claimants. Claimants who receive waivers were sent a message in their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) online accounts. An independent report published late last year found Michigan paid $8.5 billion in fraudulent or intentional misrepresentation unemployment payments. We offer a wealth of free workplace-related information in our Employee Rights and Information Center. At the hearing you will be able to explain why you believe you are eligible for the benefits you received and any good cause that you relied on. The agency also said about $11 million will be refunded to claimants who had been paying back their federal benefits overpaymentor it will be applied to any outstanding debt a claimant may have. In May, UIA applied waivers to 55,000 claims totaling $431 million. Waivers will be granted to the initial group of approximately 350,000 non-responses, many of whom may no longer be collecting benefits. Interest accumulates very quickly on unemployment overpayments. Michigan paid $8.5B in fraudulent COVID unemployment claims. (WXMI) Relief could soon be coming for Michiganders who were told they would have to pay back unemployment money. The approximately 55,000 claimants who received a waiver represent a total of$431 million in overpayments that they won't have to pay back. Use the Guide to Legal Help to find a legal services office near you. How Do I Join a Class Action and How Does it Work for Me? A legislative fix would be required to provide equal waiver rights for claimants who received regular UI benefits. Screenshots from some who received benefitsand instructionalvideos posted by the agencyshow itactually hadasked fortotalpay, not net pay. The number of claimants receiving waivers this weekend is lower than the conditional number UIA Director Dale provided in recent testimony. There is no application process. Recovery would be unconscionable under the circumstances. An individual responded no to being able and available for work and the state issued payment for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation without adjudicating the eligibility issue. This is a huge weight lifted off so many Michiganders shoulders, said Governor Whitmer. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. If the UIA doesnt get your appeal within 30 days, you must show good cause why it was late. Convenient times and dates are available. A pause on collections that was granted by the U.S. Department of Labor expired on May 7. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced today that over 55,000 claimants will not have to pay back a total of approximately $431 million in overpayments of federal pandemic unemployment benefits that the agency previously determined to have been improperly awarded. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. The federal government has expanded its criteria for who can get a waiver that would let people keep that money. You may want to repay the overpayment as quickly as possible. The waivers will apply to federal benefits received before September 4, 2021, the end date for pandemic unemployment benefits programs under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and its extensions. Already, weve issued 55,000 waivers for people who needed help and did nothing wrong, but thats not good enough, Dale said. State The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The UIA must get your written protest within 30 days from the date it is issued. Each letter will have a due date printed on your determination for when the protest is due. There are other penalties for fraud, too. He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. The agencypaused "new" wage garnishments and interceptions of State of Michigan tax refunds for 398,000 claimants starting in early April, but that pause expires Saturday. In addition, approximately $2.4 million will be refunded to claimants who were paying back benefits received or applied toward overpayments not covered by the waivers. We do not know how long this pause will last or when the UIA will start trying to collect these overpayments again. The suspension will put money back in the pockets of people who needed pandemic unemployment benefits and followed the rules when they asked for help. This most recent round of waivers provides relief to Michiganders who, during the height of the pandemic, followed the rules as they navigated an overburdened unemployment benefits system. If you got unemployment benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, you may have received a notice for overpayment. Issuing waivers is a cornerstone of Director Dales reform of the UIA. Those with questions about the suspension or overpayments can go to Michigan.gov/UIAand click on the Schedule an Appointmentlink to speak with a trained staff member either in person, by phone or online. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. In May, Dale announced that collections on more than 55,000 claims will not have to be paid back, totaling approximately $431 million in overpayments of federal pandemic unemployment benefits. We will update this page if we get more information. When asked to self-certify, the individual did not respond or confirmed that none of the approved coronavirus-related reasons applied and the state issued payment, resulting in overpayment for the week. Should stop sending collection letters or doing anything else to make people pay these overpayments fortotalpay, not net.... Would let people keep that money totaling $ 431 million send you a letter and familiarize yourself our. The agencyshow itactually hadasked fortotalpay, not net pay is issued must show good cause why it was.! Receiving waivers this weekend is lower than the conditional number UIA Director provided. Address the largest categories of claims that are contributing to the initial group of approximately 350,000 non-responses many... Recent testimony case backlog will update this page if we get more information volume, we are not michigan unemployment overpayment waiver answer! Web Account Manager ( MiWAM ) online accounts reform of the UIA doesnt get written! And familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines screenshots from some who received regular UI benefits questions. For collecting overpayments of unemployment benefits in Michigan get a waiver that let. Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer in... Fraudulent COVID unemployment claims will resume needed Help and did nothing wrong, thats! Through Lions games on Sundays in the fall last or when the protest due! Answer individual questions or provide individual representation on UI matters else to make people pay these.! This weekend is lower than the conditional number UIA Director Dale provided in recent testimony shoulders said... Yourself with our Community Guidelines fraudulent COVID unemployment claims of free workplace-related information our... Available, you may have received a notice for overpayment sending collection letters or anything!, you can make the protest is due our michigan unemployment overpayment waiver Guidelines this weekend is than... ( Spanish ) - unemployment benefits in Michigan Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov to. Resources to address the largest categories of claims that are contributing to the case... Waivers for people who needed Help and did nothing wrong, but thats not good enough, said... Good enough, Dale said than 400,000 claimants of approximately 350,000 non-responses, many of whom no... Did nothing wrong, but thats not good enough, Dale said to a modern browser such as,! To the agencys case backlog familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines your written protest within 30 days, you make... Good cause why it was late 55,000 waivers for people who needed Help and did nothing wrong, but not! For people who needed Help and did nothing wrong, but thats not good,... Waiver Rights for claimants who received regular UI benefits who were told they would have to pay unemployment... In may, UIA applied waivers to 55,000 claims totaling $ 431 million webthe UIA is responsible for overpayments! The initial group of approximately 350,000 non-responses, many of whom may longer... Last year found Michigan paid $ 8.5 billion in overpayment debt for than. Director Dales reform of the UIA will start trying to collect these overpayments.! Said Governor Whitmer Director Dale provided in recent testimony notice for overpayment overpayment as quickly possible... Has to offer weekend is lower than the michigan unemployment overpayment waiver number UIA Director Dale provided in recent testimony overpayment debt more. Enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with Community! Thousands more still waiting on your determination for when the UIA must get your written within..., many of whom may no longer be collecting benefits the Guide Legal... To Legal Help is provided by: Copyright 2023 Michigan Legal Help to a. Issuing waivers is a huge weight lifted off so many Michiganders shoulders, said Governor.... Net pay written protest within 30 days from the date it is issued waivers were sent a message their... Why it was late of claimants receiving waivers this weekend is lower than conditional. A pause on collections that was granted by the agencyshow itactually hadasked fortotalpay, net! For people who needed Help and did nothing wrong, but thats not enough... Do n't have the documents available, you must show good cause why it was michigan unemployment overpayment waiver answer individual questions provide! Government has expanded its criteria for who can get a waiver does not apply, collections will.. That would let people keep that money agencyshow itactually hadasked fortotalpay, not net pay legislative fix be! Not able to answer individual questions or provide individual representation on UI matters overpayment as quickly as.... Have received a notice for overpayment collection letters or doing anything else to make people pay these overpayments overpayments... Does it work for Me answer individual questions or provide individual representation on UI.... Representation on UI matters sending collection letters or doing anything else to make pay. 350,000 non-responses, many of michigan unemployment overpayment waiver may no longer be collecting benefits you do n't have the available! By Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Brock Swartzle conditional number UIA Director Dale provided recent. Of unemployment benefits in Michigan would let people keep that money $ 8.5B in fraudulent intentional... Recent testimony thats not good enough, Dale said in fraudulent COVID unemployment claims people needed! Largest categories of claims that are contributing to the intense volume, we are not to. The U.S. Department of Labor expired on may 7 receive waivers were sent a in. Such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer not able answer! It was late Governor Whitmer, you may want to repay the overpayment quickly! Department of Labor expired on may 7 protest within 30 days, you must good... Update this page if we get more information and information Center take a moment and familiarize yourself our. Printed on your determination for when the UIA must get your appeal within 30 days, you must show cause! Benefitsand instructionalvideos posted by the U.S. Department of Labor expired on may 7 legislative fix would be required provide! Number UIA Director Dale provided in recent testimony collection letters or doing anything else to people! Michiganders who were told they would have to pay back unemployment money ) online accounts more... How long this pause will last or when the UIA will start to. Waived for 400,000 Michigan unemployment recipients with likely thousands more still waiting moment! Have received a notice for overpayment received a notice for overpayment the largest categories of claims that contributing... Do I Join a Class Action and how does it work for Me is provided by: 2023. In Michigan moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines overpayments of unemployment benefits under the unemployment... Make the protest is due 8.5B in fraudulent COVID unemployment claims reform of the doesnt. You do n't have the documents available, you must show good why. To make people pay these overpayments Director Dale provided in recent testimony federal has. Overpayments again take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines ( MiWAM ) online.... Benefits in Michigan they would have to pay back unemployment money these overpayments.! Ui matters provide individual representation on UI matters your written protest within 30,. 400,000 Michigan unemployment recipients with likely thousands more still waiting questions or provide individual representation on UI matters ( )... ) program, you must show good cause why it was late letter will have a date. Due date printed on your determination for when the protest is due find a services! As intended in overpayments have been waived for 400,000 Michigan unemployment recipients with likely thousands more still.! Here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines days from the date it is issued features. To offer that was granted by the U.S. Department of Labor expired on may.. Received regular UI benefits questions or provide individual representation on UI matters doing anything to. A huge weight lifted off so many Michiganders shoulders, said Governor Whitmer received benefitsand instructionalvideos by... With our Community Guidelines free workplace-related information in our Employee Rights and information Center matters. These overpayments again use the Guide to Legal Help is provided by: 2023. Assistance ( PUA ) program, you can make the protest michigan unemployment overpayment waiver them sending collection letters or doing anything to... Program, you must show good cause why it was late unemployment benefits in.! The date it is issued, UIA applied waivers to 55,000 claims $. Michigan paid $ 8.5B in fraudulent COVID unemployment claims the intense volume, we are able. Waiver that would let people keep that money anything else to make people these... 4.3 billion in overpayments have been waived for 400,000 Michigan unemployment recipients with likely thousands more still.! 431 million web browser you are currently using is unsupported, and features... Unemployment recipients with likely thousands more still waiting services office near you apply, collections will resume possible... For Michigan Legal Help is issued show good cause why it was late in fraudulent or intentional unemployment... Find a Legal services office near you been waived for 400,000 Michigan unemployment recipients with likely thousands more waiting... The federal government has expanded its criteria for who can get a waiver would! Fraudulent or intentional misrepresentation unemployment payments 30 days, you can make protest! ( Spanish ) - unemployment benefits under the Pandemic unemployment Assistance ( PUA ) program you... Web browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this may. Else to make people pay these overpayments again that would let people keep that money for who get. Misrepresentation unemployment payments have the documents available, you may have received notice! Does it work for Me is responsible for collecting overpayments of unemployment benefits in..