I received a notice dated 4/8/2024, stating that the benefits I received last year have to be paid back. I am confused, this has to be a glitch, a mistake. Please have someone call me to discuss. I was eligible and approved for benefits last year, which I received for 3 months.

A) It seems there has been some confusion or mistake regarding your unemployment benefits from last year. Let me try to clarify a few things that may help explain the situation:

According to source, a common reason for needing to repay benefits is if you received an “overpayment.” An overpayment occurs when you are paid benefits you were not actually eligible to receive. Some common reasons for overpayments include:

• Failing to report all wages earned during weeks claimed
• Quitting your job without good cause
• Being fired for cause/misconduct

Source

notes that in some cases of overpayment, you may have the right to appeal the determination or request an overpayment waiver. This could be worth pursuing if you truly believe the overpayment determination is incorrect.

Next steps

I would recommend calling the unemployment office to discuss your specific situation, as the notice suggests. According to sources and the office may need more information from you or your former employer to verify your eligibility for the benefits paid last year. It’s possible this is just a mistake that can be cleared up with more information.

You can request a call back by replying to the notice you received or calling the phone number listed on the notice. Explain that you believe there may be a mistake and that you were eligible for benefits last year.

In the meantime, here’s some information that might be helpful:

• Unemployment benefits are generally not paid out if you are found to be ineligible. There are a few reasons why you might be ineligible, even if you were approved initially. For example, if you did not actively search for work while receiving benefits, you may be found to be ineligible.
• You may be able to apply for a waiver of repayment. This means that you won’t have to pay back the benefits. You’ll usually only qualify for a waiver if the overpayment was not your fault. Here are some reasons why a waiver might be granted.
• If you are unable to get a waiver, you will have to repay the benefits. You may be able to set up a payment plan with the Department of Labor.

When you call, be prepared to provide your work history, reasons for separation from previous jobs, any wages earned while claiming benefits, and an explanation of why you believe you were correctly determined eligible last year. Bring any documentation you have that could support your side. Ask to speak with a claims agent who can look into your particular case.

This may just be a misunderstanding that can be resolved. But it’s important to address it directly with the office handling your claim.