It has detailed information about the refund. To date, more than $4.3 billion in overpayments have been waived for 400,000 Michigan unemployment recipients with likely thousands more still waiting. Select Request Restitution Waiver for Financial Hardship and fill out the application. Each letter will have a due date printed on it for when the appeal is due. The programs were Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), Mixed Earnings Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) and federal reimbursement for the first week of benefits. Will the pause on collections continue? Reassigned staff and resources to address the largest categories of claims that are contributing to the agencys case backlog. 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. Unfortunately, the new guidance from the DOL applies only to CARES Act funded benefits (PUA, FPUC, MEUC, PEUC). The state paid the individual a minimum PUA Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) based on Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) guidance that was higher than the states minimum PUA WBA, which resulted in an overpayment, The individual was eligible for payment under an unemployment benefit program, but through no fault of the individual, they were instead incorrectly paid under either the PUA or PEUC program at a higher WBA. No Michigander who did the right thing when applying for benefits should be required to pay anything back resulting from errors at the federal level. Michigans unemployment agency announced another round of waivers and refunds for filers who were overpaid and asked to pay back the overpayment. Those who qualify will receive notification in the MiWAM account and a letter in the mail. In some situations, the UIA may send you actual bills for an overpayment. They weren't told by Michigan's UIA until Friday that they would receive a waiver. If there is any money left in your refund after that debt is paid, you will get it. Although Michigan has yet to adopt the federal waiver standard, the UIA seems poised to do so in light of the new guidance. According to recent reporting, the waiver program was much smaller than promised. The $250 million deposited into the Unemployment Compensation Fund nearly matches the $249 million state portion of the $8.5 billion lost by the state to fraud. Roughly 350,000 waivers were distributed in July 2021 so Michiganders would not have to repay overpayments that were received by no fault of their own. WebThe UIA is responsible for collecting overpayments of unemployment benefits. Select Your County for Lawyers and Other Housing Help, An administrative or clerical error is discovered, You had a legitimate inability to act earlier, The notice or decision arrived late in the mail and you could not respond sooner, You were misled by incorrect information from the UIA, Take your federal and/or Michigan income tax refund. The individual responded no to being unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to the approved coronavirus-related reasons, and the state paid Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. The agency expects more rounds in the future. Waivers issued earlier this month erased overpayments for 55,000 people caught in an agency mistake. The waivers provide fresh hope for Michiganders who faced paying back the federal government for benefits they received based on frequently shifting federal and state program rules. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. WebThe UIA is responsible for collecting overpayments of unemployment benefits. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced that it has issued waivers to approximately 7,300 state and federal COVID-19 jobless claims from Interest accumulates very quickly on unemployment overpayments. Lynda Robinson, a spokesperson for the agency, said she didn't have any estimates on how many claimants may also qualify for a waiver and when they might receive one. Director Dale and UIA staff remain in constant contact with the federal DOL, advising them of the progress on waivers and advocating aggressively on behalf of Michigan workers and their families, so that no one is forced to repay benefits due to changes that affected their claims after they applied for benefits they needed during a global crisis. The agency has paid a total of $39 billion in unemployment aid to 3.5 million Michigan residents since March 2020. This means the UIA should stop sending collection letters or doing anything else to make people pay these overpayments. Around $11 million was refunded to Michiganders who had paid or begun paying back these benefits. Implemented new policies for employees and contractors, including fingerprinting, criminal background checks, and an updated ethics policy. Michigan Rehabilitation Services new layout, Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services (MCRS), Executive Order 2020-107 established Michigan Workforce Development Board, Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission, formerly MI Compensation Appellate Commission. Michigan has yet to adopt this standard, but it now seems poised to do so. Thanks to these waivers that we fought for and secured Michiganders will get to keep their hard-earned money.. Four PUA COVID-19 eligibility reasons that were included at the beginning of the pandemic were later found by the U.S. Department of Labor to be non-qualifying. A motion for preliminary injunction to suspend collections on these overpayments is currently being considered by Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Brock Swartzle. If you got unemployment benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, you may have received a notice for overpayment. Once you have logged into your account, click on the "Determination Status" tab, and then click on "file an appeal.". When we work any claim we recognize that each one represents a worker who has fallen on hard times, and a family that needs help to put food on the table, pay bills and keep a roof over their heads, Dale said. Once you have logged into your account, click on the "Determination Status" tab, and then click on "file a protest.". Each letter will have a due date printed on your determination for when the protest is due. This round of waivers accounts for 96% The ETA Handbook 401 defines a Waiver as a "non-fraud overpayment for which the state agency, in accordance with state law, officially relinquishes the obligation of the claimant to repay." In February, the request for expanded waivers was granted. Although waivers for 55,000 more claimants is a good step forward, it fell short The federal jobless assistance programs were a critical lifeline for many Michiganders affected by the global pandemic and our action today means they will be able to continue to provide for their families without the fear of having to pay back benefits awarded through agency error.. 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. Convenient times and dates are available. Claimants who received waivers had messages posted to their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) accounts, the agency said, and letters started going out on Monday. If you were overpaid benefits and you are currently employed, contact the UIA Benefit Overpayment Collection unit at 1-800-638-6372 to arrange repayment. The individual submitted proof of self-employment earnings to establish eligibility for Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation Program and the state incorrectly processed the information, resulting in overpayment. The UIA must get your appeal within 30 days from the date it is issued. To date, the agency said it has waived more than $4.3 billion in overpayment debt for more than 400,000 claimants. What type of federal programs are affected? A worker files a claim on the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency website. Claimants who receive waivers were sent a message in their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) online accounts. Use the Guide to Legal Help to find a legal services office near you. All rights reserved (About Us). Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. The announcement came days after the Detroit Free Press reported some workers with overpayment notices were accused of misreporting their income. 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. Related: Michigan erases $431M in pandemic unemployment overpayments. The UIA has requested an extension of that pause while they identify and process waivers for other population and is in the process of providing additional information to support the request for extension. If you have a question about your PUA overpayments, you may be able to get help from the Counsel and Advocacy Law Line. Your Notice of Telephone Hearing will have instructions on how to do this. They can also contact the UIA by phone at 866-500-0017 or schedule a telephone, virtual or in-person appointment with an agent. currently being considered by Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Brock Swartzle. The agency said it has requestedan extension from the U.S. Department of Labor of apause oncollection activities such aswage garnishments and interceptions by theState of Michigan. If you dont repay an overpayment, the UIA may: Unlike most other types of debt, the UIA can do all of these things without going to court. Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) provides the connections, expertise and innovative solutions to drive continued business growth, build vibrant communities, create affordable housing, generate tourism and attract and retain key talent to fill Michigans vast pipeline of opportunities. Reassigned staff and resources to address the largest categories of claims that are contributing to the agencys case backlog. This is a huge weight lifted off so many Michiganders shoulders, said Governor Whitmer. Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) provides the connections, expertise and innovative solutions to drive continued business growth, build vibrant communities, create affordable housing, generate tourism and attract and retain key talent to fill Michigans vast pipeline of opportunities. Hopefully, the Agency will issue guidance soon. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. The suspension through Oct. 31, 2022, halts collections on unemployment benefits programs launched under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and its extensions: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), Mixed Earnings Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) and federal reimbursement for the first week of benefits. The individual submitted required proof of earnings used to calculate Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Weekly Benefit Amount and the state incorrectly processed the calculation, resulting in a higher WBA under the PUA program. The claimants provided the information and documentation required by the agency but were later told they were ineligible for the benefits they received. 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, Eligible Unemployment Claimants Granted Overpayment Waivers, 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. Another round of waivers will go to claimants who received unclear instructions about gross earnings versus net earnings when applying for benefits, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency said in a May 27 news release. Claimants can also call UIAs Customer Service at 1-866-500-0017. If you lose your appeal in front of an ALJ, read What If I Lose My Appeal? below. In June, claimants were asked to requalify for PUA by providing the agency with the necessary information to remain eligible for the federal program. If you disagree with the UIA and are protesting the overpayment, do not file the waiver until you have a final determination in your case. Since July 2021, the UIA has waived more than $4.35 billion in overpayment debt related to federal pandemic jobless benefits programs on more than 407,300 claims. An independent report published late last year found Michigan paid $8.5 billion in fraudulent or intentional misrepresentation unemployment payments. In some cases, the UIA might send a refund of payments you have already made. Letters will also be mailed to the address on file confirming the MiWAM notification. Those 350,000 people wont be able to keep collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits in the future, however. The suspension stops new wage garnishments and State of Michigan tax refund intercepts and is the second time UIA Director Julia Dale has worked with U.S. DOL to grant the suspension to provide relief for Michigan workers. According to recent reporting, the waiver program was much smaller than promised. More: Michigan Unemployment agency says claimants made big mistake. Unemployment waivers bring relief to thousands. Ask the UIA to issue a determination to tell you if the overpayment is the result of the UIAs error. My top priority is to help Michigan families. There is no application process. 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." It further states that a "state may authorize a waiver when or if the overpayment was not the fault of the claimant and If you want the ALJ to see any documents, you will need to send it to the judge before the hearing. Three months after the U.S. Department of Labor guidance was issued, the first group of blanket waivers went out to Claimants can also call UIAs Customer Service at 1-866-500-0017. If the UIA denies your protest and appeal and still says you owe the money, you can use this waiver process to argue that even if there is an overpayment, you should not have to pay it back. More than 55,000 unemployment insurance claimants who received benefits in the pandemic but were later told they were overpaid got waivers and will be refunded if they started paying back their overpayment, Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency said Wednesday. To get benefits under the PUA program, the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) must have determined that your unemployment was directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, there has not been any specific plan announced on whether or how the federal standard will be adopted and, if so, how the blanket waivers will be applied.

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