If you don't have the documents available, you can make the protest without them. If you got unemployment benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, you may have received a notice for overpayment. Disclaimer & Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Sitemap. Contact Adrienne Roberts: amroberts@freepress.com. Convenient times and dates are available. 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. Claimants with questions about todays announcement are urged to call UIAs Customer Service at 1-866-500-0017. The UIA is responsible for collecting overpayments of unemployment benefits. Due to the intense volume, we are not able to answer individual questions or provide individual representation on UI matters. Use the Guide to Legal Help to find a legal services office near you. And in February, the U.S. Department of Labor allowed Michigan to issue more blanket waivers for the remaining overpayments. The UIA waived the repayment of more than $53.2 million in benefits that were received by claimants, providing much needed relief for Michiganders. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. 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. Dale announced last week waivers on approximately 7,300 overpayment claims that waived $53.2 million in repayments. The UIA must get your appeal within 30 days from the date it is issued. The UIA has said it is reviewing how the categories would apply to claims in Michigan and is determining how quickly the waivers could be issued.. 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. 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 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. They can also contact the UIA by phone at 866-500-0017 or schedule a telephone, virtual or in-person appointment with an agent. Ask the UIA to issue a determination to tell you if the overpayment is the result of the UIAs error. 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. 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. Issuing waivers is a cornerstone of Director Dales reform of the UIA. Release date: Friday, July 30, 2021. All rights reserved. Once you have logged into your account, click on the "Determination Status" tab, and then click on "file a protest.". Convenient times and dates are available. 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. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced that it has issued waivers to approximately 7,300 state and federal COVID-19 jobless claims from 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 waives $431M in federal pandemic overpayments, 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. Collaborated with the Attorney Generals office to combat fraud at the agency. 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. This is a free legal aid hotline. Make sure to keep your contact information updated in your Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account so you get any notices from the UIA. 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. It has detailed information about the refund. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. UIA: Misrepresentation must be investigated when a claimant provides information that conflicts with information the agency possesses. Overpaid claimants who provided the Michigan UIA with gross earnings instead of net earnings will be the group to get waivers. More Michiganders are still waiting. Reassigned staff and resources to address the largest categories of claims that are contributing to the agencys case backlog. A legislative fix would be required to provide equal waiver rights for claimants who received regular UI benefits. 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. If you find supporting documents later on, you can add them. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Claimants who receive waivers were sent a message in their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) online accounts. 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. Built a new, user-friendly website that is more responsive to those using a mobile phone or tablet to access services. If you want the ALJ to see any documents, you will need to send it to the judge before the hearing. State Claims determined to be fraudulent or being investigated for fraud. Select a county above for resources near you, Helping Michigan residents solve their legal problems, Are You Being Evicted? Support for Michigan Legal Help is provided by: Copyright 2023 Michigan Legal Help. Waivers issued earlier this month erased overpayments for 55,000 people caught in an agency mistake. Here is what we know so far: The U.S. Department of Labor has been clear since May of 2021 that states like Michigan have broad powers to waive so-called overpayments on Pandemic Unemployment Benefits created by the CARES Act. (WXMI) Relief could soon be coming for Michiganders who were told they would have to pay back unemployment money. If you have a question about your PUA overpayments, you may be able to get help from the Counsel and Advocacy Law Line. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. Contact Adrienne Roberts: amroberts@freepress.com. This is a pause on collections only. The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has begun to notify claimants who are no longer eligible to receive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance(PUA) benefits that overpayments will be waived. If the UIA later decides that you still owe the overpayment, they might start trying to collect from you again. If you cant pay the overpayment amount that you owe, you can ask for a Financial Hardship Waiver by clicking on the Claimant Services Tab in your MiWAM account and filling out the application. The UIA waived the repayment of more than $53.2 million in benefits that were received by claimants, providing much needed relief for Michiganders. 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. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Some examples of good cause include: You can protest online through your Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM). Since July 2021, the UIA has waived over $4.35 billion in overpayment debt related to federal pandemic jobless benefits programs on more than 407,300 claims. 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. Around $11 million was refunded to Michiganders who had paid or begun paying back these benefits. Monday's letter added five "blanket waiver" criteria for a total of seven that would automatically exempt overpayments related to a federal CARES Act unemployment program. About 327,000 fewer than expected claimants received a waiver. Each letter will have a due date printed on your determination for when the protest is due. 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. If the UIA tries to collect from you during the pause, you can try contacting the UIA's Benefit Overpayment Collection unit at 1-866-500-0017. UIA will continue to look at COVID-19 pandemic claims to identify others that may qualify for waivers. The waivers will apply to state and federal benefits that claimants received between March 15, 2020, and May 30, 2021, under a state jobless claim, extended benefits, or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). The DOLsEmployment and Training Administrationupdated its waiver guidance to approve five new scenarios under which states who have adopted the federal provisions for consideration of a waiver may use blanket waivers to wipe out overpayments: The Department of Labor has also created a process for states to propose additional categories for blanket waiver treatment. 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. Related: Unemployment waivers bring relief to thousands. Copyright 2022 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced Friday that those who wrongfully received Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits will be granted an overpayment waiver allowing them to keep the money, although many may no longer receive aid going forward. PUA benefits are $300 a week on top of maximum state benefits of $362. Michigans unemployment agency announced another round of waivers and refunds for filers who were overpaid and asked to pay back the overpayment. 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. 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. Dale is also going after 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. Will the pause on collections continue? To date, the agency said it has waived more than $4.3 billion in overpayment debt for more than 400,000 claimants. WebThe UIA is responsible for collecting overpayments of unemployment benefits. Select Request Restitution Waiver for Financial Hardship and fill out the application. There are other penalties for fraud, too. In the report on Wednesday, the Free Press showed that in at least some of the cases, the mistake was the state's and not the claimants'. If your protests were filed on time, the UIA is not allowed to collect money before your case is final. To find out if they can help you, apply online or call 1-888-783-8190 Monday - Thursday, 9am - 5pm, or Friday, 9am - 1pm. More rounds of waivers expected, offering relief to workers. 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 some cases, the UIA might send a refund of payments you have already made. He's been with WDIV since 2013. Because those programs were federally funded, the UIA is required to actively collect overpayments, unless specific suspensions are obtained from the federal government. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. What is an Overpayment Waiver? 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 were overpaid benefits and you are currently employed, contact the UIA Benefit Overpayment Collection unit at 1-800-638-6372 to arrange repayment. This may have happened for a few reasons, like if you made a mistake when certifying your benefits, were unable or unavailable to work, or you knowingly gave false or misleading information when filing a claim. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. Video of the Day 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. We do not know how long this pause will last or when the UIA will start trying to collect these overpayments again. Three months after the U.S. Department of Labor guidance was issued, the first group of blanket waivers went out to The claimants provided the information and documentation required by the agency but were later told they were ineligible for the benefits they received. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency expects to send out waivers to about 382,000 claimants who received overpayment letters by April 29. The refund might not mean that the case is over. 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. Built a new, user-friendly website that is more responsive to those using a mobile phone or tablet to access services. Please see q. There is no application process. TheU.S. Department of Labor issued guidance to states in February on how to address overpayments when the claimant is not at fault. Already, weve issued 55,000 waivers for people who needed help and did nothing wrong, but thats not good enough, Dale said. A motion for preliminary injunction to suspend collections on these overpayments is currently being considered by Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Brock Swartzle. Claimants also can schedule an in-person, phone or online appointment. UIA will continue to review all overpayment claims to see how many more may be eligible for waivers. Your next steps will depend on whether you agree or disagree with the UIAs determination letter. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. News Update: Promised Waivers fall short. If you cant show good cause, the decision that you were overpaid will become final. There is no application process. According to recent reporting, the waiver program was much smaller than promised. Reassigned staff and resources to address the largest categories of claims that are contributing to the agencys case backlog. When you file your appeal, ask for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). Thanks to these waivers that we fought for and secured Michiganders will get to keep their hard-earned money.. The UIA must get your written protest within 30 days from the date it is issued. After the notifications were issued, Gov. Claimants say UIA is lying, Attorney for jobless claimants asks judge to stop Michigan from garnishing their wages, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. You may want to repay the overpayment as quickly as possible. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has secured a second approval from the U.S. Department of Labor (U.S. DOL) to suspend certain collection activities for 391,769 workers who applied for federal jobless benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. UIA has notified claimants who received waivers by posting messages to their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) accounts. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. If the UIA believes you were overpaid, they will send you a letter. 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