Ohio offering waivers for people who were overpaid for unemployment; returning money in some cases

Those who were overpaid for unemployment and it wasn’t due to fraud may not have to repay that money if they are approved under the state’s new waiver program.

“Federal changes in unemployment rules, criteria, and claims volume resulted in widespread overpayments of benefits across the nation,” Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Matt Damschroder said. “We know that created a tremendous amount of stress for those already struggling, and these waivers will offer relief to individuals with valid unemployment claims whose overpayments were not their fault.”

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ODJFS said notifications are being sent out to claimants in the traditional unemployment program and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program about the waiver program. The notifications will either come by U.S. mail or electronically, the state said.

“Unemployment claimants with non-fraud overpayments that they received at no fault of their own can now request waivers that, if approved, would absolve the claimant from repaying those funds to the state,” ODJFS said. “Money will be returned to claimants who qualify for a waiver but who previously repaid the overpayment.”

The notifications will give people detailed instructions on how to apply for the waiver later this summer, once the system is complete and able to accept the applications, according to ODJFS.

The state said all portions of overpayments could be waived, which would also include the supplemental weekly $600 and $300 that had been paid out from federal stimulus money.

People who received Trade, SharedWork Ohio and other types of unemployment benefits also may be eligible for waivers.

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