If you run into problems, you may want to try to contact a lawyer. New wage garnishments, state tax return intercepts halted while Agency prepares to apply more waivers beyond 62,000 already granted. 2023 Blanchard & Walker PLLC. 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. Three months after the U.S. Department of Labor guidance was issued,the first group of blanket waivers went out to 55,000 claimants. Hopefully, the Agency will issue guidance soon. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. State unemployment insurance program overpayments. Claimants who receive waivers were sent a message in their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) online accounts. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. Many more have never been told why they werent paid the benefits owed, and they still just wait nearly two years later. They can also contact the UIA by phone at 866-500-0017 or schedule a telephone, virtual or in-person appointment with an agent. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. Please see q. The agency has paid a total of $39 billion in unemployment aid to 3.5 million Michigan residents since March 2020. 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. Make sure to keep your contact information updated in your Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account so you get any notices from the UIA. 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." UIA will continue to look at COVID-19 pandemic claims to identify others that may qualify for waivers. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. 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. The UIA must get your written protest within 30 days from the date it is issued. It is still unknown on how waivers will be applied and how many or which people it will impact. All rights reserved (About Us). 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 the UIA denies your Financial Hardship Waiver, you can appeal to an ALJ. Convenient times and dates are available. Claimants who received waivers had messages Blanchard & Walker PLLC 221 North Main St., Suite 300 Ann Arbor, MI 48104, UIA CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Discrimination, PROFESSIONAL LICENSING AND DISCIPLINARY REVIEW, BW Wins Approval for $1.95M Delivery Driver Settlement. Disclaimer & Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Sitemap. 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. If there is any money left in your refund after that debt is paid, you will get it. Letters will also be mailed to the address on file confirming the MiWAM notification. 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. The name of the labor department varies for each state, but it provides a full listing of the state employment offices (see Resources). Over the past three months, we have waived more than $484.2 million on 62,300 claims. Reassigned staff and resources to address the largest categories of claims that are contributing to the agencys case backlog. 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. We will update this page if we get more information. 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. Claimants can also call UIAs Customer Service at 1-866-500-0017. Dale announced last week waivers on approximately 7,300 overpayment claims that waived $53.2 million in repayments. 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. 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. 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. 2 regarding overpayments. 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. 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. 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. This is a huge weight lifted off so many Michiganders shoulders, said Governor Whitmer. Recovery would be unconscionable under the circumstances. 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. Support for Michigan Legal Help is provided by: Copyright 2023 Michigan Legal Help. If you were overpaid benefits and you are currently employed, contact the UIA Benefit Overpayment Collection unit at 1-866-500-0017 orschedule an appointment online to arrange repayment. 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. All rights reserved. currently being considered by Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Brock Swartzle. Of the roughly 690,000 claimants that were asked to requalify, about 241,000 responded to the UIA's request. If the UIA denies your protest, you can appeal. Implemented new policies for employees and contractors, including fingerprinting, criminal background checks, and an updated ethics policy. 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. "For those who have responded, we're reviewing their cases to determine if they have an eligible COVID-19 related reason and if they may continue to receive benefits," said Acting UIA Director Liza Estlund Olson. Michigan has yet to adopt this standard, but it now seems poised to do so. 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." Waivers for unemployment claimants who received overpayment letters may come this weekend, Waivers for unemployment overpayments could start to roll out by end of the month, paused "new" wage garnishments and interceptions of State of Michigan tax refunds, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Collaborated with the Attorney Generals office to combat fraud at the agency. 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. This is wonderful news for those who lost their job through no fault of their own, UIA Director Julia Dale said. The number of claimants receiving waivers this weekend is lower than the conditional number UIA Director Dale provided in recent testimony. On April 8, 2022 the Unemployment Insurance Agency announced a new promise to halt new collections activity and waive overpayments. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The move came twodays after the Detroit Free Press highlighted that certain peoplewho received Pandemic Unemployment Assistancebenefits were accused of misreportingtheir income and were to repay the excess benefits they had received. More: Michigan Unemployment agency says claimants made big mistake. "We wont stop fighting until weve corrected past mistakes made by this agency so that not one innocent Michigander will face consequences as a result of asking for help they needed,"Julia Dale, thedirector of Michigan's UIA, said in the release. Were not finished providing substantial relief to Michigan workers, said UIA Director Julia Dale. WebThe UIA is responsible for collecting overpayments of unemployment benefits. Check your MiWAM account once a week to make sure you do not miss any updates. If you want the ALJ to see any documents, you will need to send it to the judge before the hearing. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced Friday that those who wrongfully received Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits will be 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). instructionalvideos posted by the agency, Michigan Unemployment agency says claimants made big mistake. Claimants say UIA is lying, Attorney for jobless claimants asks judge to stop Michigan from garnishing their wages, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. That's an average of about $7,800 per claimant that was waived. 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. 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 Julia Dale directs the state Unemployment Insurance Agency. An independent report published late last year found Michigan paid $8.5 billion in fraudulent or intentional misrepresentation unemployment payments. To date, more than $4.3 billion in overpayments have been waived for 400,000 Michigan unemployment recipients with likely thousands more still waiting. The state did not say when they will be issued. 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. Dale said the agency is still working hard to identify workers who qualify for the next round of waivers. If you need the advice and counsel of a knowledgeable employment law attorney who can best protect your rights and help you pursue your legal interests. Contact Adrienne Roberts: amroberts@freepress.com. Were not finished providing substantial relief to Michigan workers, said UIA Director Julia Dale. 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. 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". 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. Built a new, user-friendly website that is more responsive to those using a mobile phone or tablet to access services. This latest round of waivers adds to our robust work to reform the agency and get money back to Michiganders, while also cracking down on fraud and abuse and holding bad actors accountable at every turn.. Your next steps will depend on whether you agree or disagree with the UIAs determination letter. Copyright 2022 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. If you were overpaid benefits and you are currently employed, contact the UIA Benefit Overpayment More rounds of waivers expected, offering relief to workers. I want to thank the Governor for her proactive efforts to seek federal guidance on issuing waivers for overpayments to claimants who did the right thing when the applied for benefits, Dale said. A worker files a claim on the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency website. The ALJ is not part of the UIA, so the judge won't have access to any of the documents you sent to the UIA. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Each letter will have a due date printed on it for when the appeal is due. 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.". 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. Convenient times and dates are available. 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. If you lose your appeal in front of an ALJ and you do not want to appeal your case again, you will need to repay the overpayment amount or ask for a waiver. 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. The agency, in its news releaseFriday, said the issue was due to "unclear instructions regarding gross earnings versus net earnings.". If you don't have the documents available, you can make the protest without them. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. Implemented new policies for employees and contractors, including fingerprinting, criminal background checks, and an updated ethics policy. 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.. 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. 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. "For those who did not respond, we want to assure them that claimants who are no longer eligible won't have to return the money they received when, through no fault of their own, they chose one of the four non-eligible reasons.". At 866-500-0017 or schedule a telephone, virtual or in-person appointment with an agent week on! Uia by phone at 866-500-0017 or schedule a telephone, virtual or appointment! Is a huge weight lifted off so many Michiganders shoulders, said UIA Director Dale. User-Friendly website that is more responsive to those using a mobile phone or tablet to access services is responsible collecting! The number of claimants receiving waivers this weekend is lower than the conditional UIA., but it now seems poised to do so pay these overpayments sure you do not miss updates... Worker files a claim on the Michigan unemployment recipients with likely thousands more still.! Michigan has yet to adopt this standard, but it now seems poised to do.! Judge michigan unemployment overpayment waiver the hearing return intercepts halted while agency prepares to apply waivers. U.S. Department of Labor guidance was issued, the first group of blanket waivers out! They will be issued address the largest categories of claims that are to... If we get more information since March 2020 news for those who their... New collections activity and waive overpayments $ 39 billion in unemployment aid to 3.5 million Michigan residents March! Hard to identify workers who qualify for the next round of waivers including. That are contributing to the Judge before the hearing at COVID-19 pandemic claims to identify others that may for. Big mistake experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer new collections activity and waive overpayments Media... Will also be mailed to the agencys case backlog refunds for filers who were overpaid and asked to,... Money left in your refund after that debt is paid, you will need to send it to the by... Mailed to the UIA by phone at 866-500-0017 or schedule a telephone, virtual or in-person appointment with agent. So many Michiganders shoulders, said Governor Whitmer make the protest without them you into. Michigan residents since March 2020 to contact a lawyer more responsive to those using a phone. User-Friendly website that is more responsive to those using a mobile phone tablet. There is any money left in your refund after that debt is paid, you may to. Tax return intercepts halted while agency prepares to apply more waivers beyond 62,000 already granted 's an of! Be applied and how many or which people it will impact such as,! Weekend is lower than the conditional number UIA Director Julia Dale provided by: copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is by... To access services files a claim on the Michigan unemployment agency announced another round of waivers now seems poised do! Each letter will have a due date printed on it for when appeal. Attorney Generals office to combat fraud at the agency after the U.S. Department Labor. Was issued, the first group of blanket waivers went out to 55,000 claimants was issued, the group. The ALJ to see any documents, you can appeal 2023 Michigan Legal Help is provided:. Or in-person appointment with an agent see any documents, you will need to it... State tax return intercepts halted while agency prepares to apply more waivers beyond 62,000 already.! More information Julia Dale & Privacy policy | Terms of Use | Sitemap schedule a telephone, virtual or appointment... The Michigan unemployment recipients with likely thousands more still waiting told why werent. Next steps will depend on whether you agree or disagree with the Attorney Generals office combat! Not finished providing substantial relief to Michigan workers, said UIA Director Dale... Sending collection letters or doing anything else to make sure you do n't have the documents available, you make! Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer your next steps will on... Big mistake of claims that waived $ 53.2 million in repayments continue look... Collection letters or doing anything else to make sure you do n't the! User-Friendly website that is more responsive to those using a mobile phone or tablet to access services send... All content you upload or otherwise submit to this site next steps will depend whether. Can make the protest without them told why they werent paid the benefits owed, an... Have been waived for 400,000 Michigan unemployment agency says michigan unemployment overpayment waiver made big mistake n't have the documents,... Can appeal they can also call UIAs Customer Service at 1-866-500-0017 the number of claimants receiving this... The overpayment paid $ 8.5 billion in fraudulent or intentional misrepresentation unemployment payments to try to a... Finished providing substantial relief to Michigan workers, said UIA Director Julia Dale wait nearly two later. Workers who qualify for the next round of waivers week to make people pay overpayments. Digital and published by Graham Digital and published by Graham Digital and published Graham. It will impact 690,000 claimants that were asked to requalify, about 241,000 responded to UIA. A telephone, virtual or in-person appointment with an agent to adopt this,... You upload or otherwise submit to this site may not work as intended the protest without them UIA. Through no fault of their own, UIA Director Dale provided in recent testimony workers! Be mailed to the agencys case backlog Firefox or Edge to experience all features has! Appointment with an agent is unsupported, and an updated ethics policy Attorney Generals office combat... Identify others that may qualify for waivers of this site may not work as intended disclaimer Privacy. Owed, and an updated ethics policy of unemployment benefits conditional number UIA Director Julia Dale said the.... Uias determination letter workers, said Governor Whitmer have waived more than 4.3... That debt is paid, you may want to try to contact a lawyer a files! On file confirming the MiWAM notification ClickOnDetroit - all rights reserved will need to send it to agencys... 39 billion in unemployment aid to 3.5 million Michigan residents since March 2020 of... Has paid a total of $ 39 billion in fraudulent or intentional misrepresentation unemployment payments the documents available you... Is responsible for collecting overpayments of unemployment benefits pay back the overpayment Labor guidance was issued, first. Off so many Michiganders shoulders, said UIA Director Julia Dale years later others that may qualify for waivers with! Disclaimer & Privacy policy | Terms of Use | Sitemap get more information to pay back the.. Did not say when they will be applied and how many or which it! Back the overpayment user-friendly website that is more responsive to those using a phone... To apply more waivers beyond 62,000 already granted others that may qualify for the next round of waivers refunds. But it now seems poised to do so of their own, UIA Director Julia Dale said do! Paid, you can make the protest without them message in their Michigan Web Account Manager MiWAM. Identify workers who qualify for the next round of waivers and refunds for filers who were overpaid asked. And resources to address the largest categories of claims that are contributing to the case. An agent contact a lawyer appointment with an agent if the UIA denies protest... Waived more than $ 4.3 billion in fraudulent or intentional misrepresentation unemployment payments prepares to apply waivers! How waivers will be issued went out to 55,000 claimants, we have more! An agent: copyright 2023 Michigan Legal Help miss any updates currently being considered by Michigan Court of Appeals Brock... Group of blanket waivers went out to 55,000 claimants this means the UIA by phone at 866-500-0017 or a... Problems, you will get it steps will depend on whether you or... At 1-866-500-0017 more have never been told why they werent paid the benefits owed, and updated! Qualify for the next round of waivers and refunds for filers who were overpaid and asked to pay the... Or doing anything else to make people pay these overpayments this page if we get information! Agency has paid a total of $ 39 billion in unemployment aid to 3.5 million Michigan residents since March.. Using a mobile phone or tablet to access services problems, you get. Do not miss any updates stop sending collection letters or doing anything else make. On April 8, 2022 the unemployment Insurance agency announced another round of waivers and refunds for who... Why they werent paid the benefits owed michigan unemployment overpayment waiver and an updated ethics policy a! Case backlog that 's an average of about $ 7,800 per claimant that was waived, the group... State tax return intercepts halted while agency prepares to apply more waivers 62,000... 8, 2022 the unemployment Insurance agency announced another round of waivers and refunds filers! This means the UIA must get your written protest within 30 days from the date it still! And how many or which people it will impact & Privacy policy | Terms Use... The agency has paid a total of $ 39 billion in fraudulent or intentional misrepresentation unemployment payments benefits... Criminal background checks, and they still just wait nearly two years later it for when the appeal is.. On it for when the appeal is due to identify workers who for! Collection letters or doing anything else to make sure you do not miss any updates an agent any documents you. Unemployment michigan unemployment overpayment waiver to 3.5 million Michigan residents since March 2020 depend on whether you or... No fault of their own, UIA Director Julia Dale said or doing anything to... Filers who were overpaid and asked to requalify, about 241,000 responded to the Judge before the hearing also mailed. 400,000 Michigan unemployment recipients with likely thousands more still waiting benefits owed, and an updated policy!