More Michiganders are still waiting. If you got unemployment benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, you may have received a notice for overpayment. Awarding waivers is a cornerstone of Director Dales reform of the UIA, including chasing down bad actors who steal money from workers, striving for exemplary customer service and leading the effort to replace the Agencys decade-old computer system with a user-friendly, state-of-the-art interface for claimants and businesses. This round of waivers accounts for 96% It specifically said states could apply blanket waivers for overpayments for claimants who were approvedfor a higher weekly benefit amount than what they should have received. The news releasedidn't give an estimate as to how long it might take to issue waivers. We offer a wealth of free workplace-related information in our Employee Rights and Information Center. 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. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). More rounds of waivers expected, offering relief to workers. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced that it has issued waivers to approximately 7,300 state and federal COVID-19 jobless claims from 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. 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. And in February, the U.S. Department of Labor allowed Michigan to issue more blanket waivers for the remaining overpayments. Under federal law, UIA had to re-evaluate PUA eligibility for individuals who selected one of the non-qualifying reasons. 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. 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 jobless claims from workers in Michigan. Convenient times and dates are available. 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. The UIA has said it is reviewing how the categories would apply to claims in Michigan and determining how quickly the waivers could be issued. State officials worked with the U.S. Department of Labor to issue the first round of waivers last August followed by the second chunk in early May. 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. The federal waiver standard allows a state to waive benefit overpayments if: The May 2021 guidance from the Department of Labor also created two specific circumstances when states may use the standard to issue blanket waivers and waive overpayments automatically, when: In a letter sent to the Michigan Governor in December 2021, advocates for UI claimants urged the administration to adopt this standard, as many other states such as Illinois and Wisconsin already have. Many more have never been told why they werent paid the benefits owed, and they still just wait nearly two years later. Assuming Michigan UIA takes advantage of the broad blanket waiver allowances, waivers could fix many overpayment issues for Michigan residents who were incorrectly paid benefits through no fault of their own. If the UIA later decides that you still owe the overpayment, they might start trying to collect from you again. Additional testing over the last week by FAST developers revealed the early numbers to overlap with waivers issued last fall by the agency. They weren't told by Michigan's UIA until Friday that they would receive a waiver. Unfortunately, even if the Agency acts quickly to waive overpayments, this does nothing for the thousands of Michiganders who are owed benefits and have had them cut off. Contact Adrienne Roberts: amroberts@freepress.com. The collections suspension does not stop agency collections activities such as existing wage garnishments, intercepting federal tax returns, deducting a percentage from current unemployment benefit payments, or recovering overpayments for other states. The claimants provided the information and documentation required by the agency but were later told they were ineligible for the benefits they received. 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. Additionally, roughly $11 million will be refunded to claimants who had been paying back their federal benefits overpayment, or it will be applied to any outstanding debt a claimant may have. Claimants say UIA is lying, Attorney for jobless claimants asks judge to stop Michigan from garnishing their wages, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. WebThe UIA is responsible for collecting overpayments of unemployment benefits. When those claimants appealed the decision and the case went before a judge, agency representatives said theclaimantswere liable because they hadentered their gross pay from prior years to determine their weekly benefit amountwhen they should have entered their net pay. This is a pause on collections only. A new system will allow for quick analysis of data that is currently not possible for the agency. This is a huge weight lifted off so many Michiganders shoulders, said Governor Whitmer. UIA will continue to look at COVID-19 pandemic claims to identify others that may qualify for waivers. After the report came out, the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) started sending some recipients letters telling them they had to repay thousands of dollars. Claimants who receive waivers were sent a message in their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) online accounts. 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." 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. If you want to appeal to the UIAC, you may want to speak with a lawyer. There is no application process. To date, more than $4.3 billion in overpayments have been waived for 400,000 Michigan unemployment recipients with likely thousands more still waiting. If you get a refund, make sure you carefully read any notices or information you get explaining the refund. Letters will also be mailed to the address on file confirming the MiWAM notification. To do this, go to your MiWAM account and click on the Claimant Services Tab. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. If the UIA denies your protest, you can appeal. The UIA is responsible for collecting overpayments of unemployment benefits. Reassigned staff and resources to address the largest categories of claims that are contributing to the agencys case backlog. 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 announces new waivers of state, federal overpayment determinations, 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. Interest accumulates very quickly on unemployment overpayments. An earlier suspension expired in May. 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. 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. The UIA still is working to identify additional individuals who may deserve waivers from the overpayment notices they got after receiving federal aid during the pandemic. The Program works with judges, courts, lawyers, bar associations, nonprofit legal aid agencies, legal self-help centers, libraries and many others to promote coordinated and quality assistance for persons representing themselves in civil legal matters in Michigan. It is very important to read the notices, and protest or appeal on time using the process below if you disagree with the UIA's decision. Once you have logged into your account, click on the "Determination Status" tab, and then click on "file a protest.". If this happens, you can use the same Financial Hardship waiver process. An overpayment happens when you receive more unemployment money than you should have received. Some Michiganders had benefits cut short based on erroneous determinations about whether they lost work due to COVID, whether they were able and available for work, or whether they voluntarily quit their jobs for health and safety reasons. There is not an application for this on MiWAM, but you can ask for the waiver by going to your main account page and finding the link "Send Unemployment a Message". Ask the UIA to issue a determination to tell you if the overpayment is the result of the UIAs error. You can use the Guide to Legal Help to get information about finding a lawyer. If you were overpaid benefits and you are currently employed, contact the UIA Benefit Overpayment To date, the agency said ithas waived more than$4.3 billion in overpayment debt for more than 400,000claimants. The federal government has expanded its criteria for who can get a waiver that would let people keep that money. The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is now reviewing the categories added Monday and determining how many other claims might qualify for waivers under Since Dale was appointed director in October 2021, she also has: 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. He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. 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. A new press release is lacking in details and reports the Agency intends to pause collections through May 7: During the pause, UIA will not issue new wage garnishments or intercept State of Michigan tax refunds. UIA: Misrepresentation must be investigated when a claimant provides information that conflicts with information the agency possesses. After the UIA responds and issues a determination, you can protest or appeal a denial of the agency error waiver.
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