Dale: I think theres opportunities for improvement without having been engaged in that training process. Though that money wasnt just going to those scamming the system, many were real people who believed they were doing the right thing and trying to stay afloat. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports. Plaintiffs Motion for Preliminary Injunction Pleadings, 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, Unemployment Agency may not be able to make good, michigan-unemployment-agency-will-stop-collecting-from-people-it-claims-were-overpaid-benefits, michigan-unemployment-agency-to pause-collection-activity-for-all-pandemic-overpayments, michigan-unemployment-insurance-agency-to-halt-all-collections-on-pandemic-overpayments-next-week, michigan-unemployment-insurance-agency-aims-comply-with-court-order-stop-collections-mid-december, claimants-still-waiting-pandemic-jobless-aid-file-class-action-suit, michigan-unemployment-agency-cant-demand-repayment-appealed-overpayments-judge-rules-again, judge-uia-must-stop-collection-efforts-claimants-appeals, editorial-accountability-still-lacking-unemployment-agency, state-michigan-still-seeking-job-aid-clawbacks-despite-vow-prioritize-waivers, michigan-unemployment-agency-overpaid-benefits-lawsuit, uia-questions-pause-unemployment-overpayment-collections, judge-michigan-unemployment-agency-overpaid, State Response to Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Brief in Support of Preliminary Injunction, Reply in Further Support of Preliminary Injunction, Unemployment Agency Motion to Dismiss Complaint, Response and Counter-Request for Summary Disposition, Brief in Response/Opposition to Class Certification, Brief in Reply and Further Support of Class Certification, BW Wins Approval for $1.95M Delivery Driver Settlement. PEUC claimants who exhausted their previous entitlement will be able to reopen their claim to receive an additional 11 weeks of benefits, payable retroactively, beginning with the week ending Jan. 2, 2021. Stream live on Local 4+. Current collections do not appear to be suspended. Unfortunately this is the reality for thousands of Michiganders like Shellye, 64, who at no fault of their own are being asked to pay the UIA, after the agency made mistakes and overpaid billions in unemployment.UIA says Shellye owes them $7k, after she lost her job in 2020: pic.twitter.com/6EX9KNKpwy. Offering virtual appointments, also helps us to be more responsive to our customers who are deaf or hard of hearing., The UIAs efforts to implement a virtual meeting platform option and enhance service accessibility to the public, particularly at this time, are excellent, said the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunitys Office of Employment and Training Director Stephanie Beckhorn. We sat down with her recently to discuss the challenges the agency faces nearly two years since the coronavirus pandemic struck the state of Michigan. Question: If people right now have concerns with their benefits, whats the best way to address it? I think the other thing that were working to do is really take advantage of opportunities, identify opportunities, to cross train our staff so that were able to pivot and move in response to the needs that we see from our constituents.. That had to be frustrating. The University of Michigan is one of many employers targeted for fraudulent unemployment claims by criminal enterprises. I think the system to verify identity is broken. And so were working on improving that. Workers on regular state UI benefits will no longer receive the PEUC extension automatically. Start completing the fillable fields and carefully type in required information. Dale: I dont want to go into specifics, because we dont want to let those who are the fraudsters know all of our tools, but I will say that we have best practices in place. File a police report with your local police department by calling the non-emergency number, or file a police report with the University of Michigan DPSS at (734) 763-1131. This website uses cookies. We just finished a request for information. This program is funded with federal dollars. We have appointments at our local offices that are going unbooked. Copyright 2021 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Question: Is there anything else you want to talk about? You do not need to have a Gmail account to join from a computer. The state of Michigan has gone through two UIA directors during the pandemic, and now Dale is the third. If you are notified by the State of Michigan UIA that you need to repay unemployment benefits or you received a debit card or payment when you did not file a claim, the following actions are recommended for identity theft recovery: Complete the Statement of Identity Theft form (Form UIA 6349) and return it directly to the State of Michigan UIA Fraud Investigation Unit. EMPLOYERS: Call 1-855-484-2636 - Monday - Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. because Plaintiffs are likely to prevail on due process claims related to unauthorized Agency collection before UIA Claimants have had a hearing and opportunity to appeal the Agencys late reversals of benefits. The headaches continue for a bunch of Michiganders who applied for unemployment assistance during the pandemic, got benefits and then were told to pay the money back. I could have lost my house, I could have lost my car. Where are the opportunities for growth and improvement? Because we recognize that when our customers, when our constituents get on the phone with someone they really need to have that experience be one that is knowledgeable, that is effective and is efficient. Why should people think anything is going to be different now? Short-Term Pause on Collection of Overpayments. As a result, we were unable to verify your identity. This means the UIA should stop sending collection letters or doing anything else to make people pay these overpayments. Preliminary Injunction Granted! This will help protect you from having anyone else file with the IRS using your name and social security number. Schedule aPHONE APPOINTMENT to speak with a customer service representative. Navigate through the menu options by selecting options 9, 9, 1, and then 3. New PUA applications filed in 2021 should include supportive documentation of employment in 2020. By using and further navigating this website, you accept this. 8/11/2022 SAUNDERS UPDATE: JUDGE CONFIRMS BROAD INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. I understand there are people who take advantage of the system, but I'm not one of them. Question: Does that information come to you at the end of a certain period? I think the proof is really in the work that I do, and thats the process that were in right now. If youre interested in job seeker services, including job search assistance and career coaching, follow this link. Hank Winchester is Local 4s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIVs Help Me Hank Consumer Unit. Meanwhile, Plaintiffs have filed an Application for Leave to Appeal the portions of the Court of Claims June 13, 2022 Order dismissing Plaintiffs additional claims for Agency illegal collections more than a year after benefits, and for failing to provide an administrative process to review for whether overpayments should be waived based on Agency error. I sent them an explanation that when I first filed in 2007 I spoke with an unemployment person and told them it was family employment and . Why do we trust you? And I think that first, as you pointed out, its a risk for me to come over. The Injunction will have sweeping impact for many thousands of UI claimants now facing unconstitutional overpayment collection activity. Once a worker has exhausted their state UI benefits, they will need to log into their MiWAM account and click on,Additional Information Required click here to file an extension., Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation. This isnt something that I come into with eyes closed. Those appointments can be made online, and I do know that all of those appointments are not being filled. Im the 11th director in 10 years, and without that consistent leadership at the top, to be able to take and follow through a project or a plan to address concerns, you know, without that single voice that is consistent, that is there constantly providing support to the staff, I think it can be easy for things to fall apart every time a new director comes into place.. Walk-in appointments will not be accepted. Question: But how long will it take for people at home to be able to take advantage of that cutting-edge technology? Now forced to halt collections under the Courts Preliminary Injunction Order, the Agency is undertaking a major project to halt collections on hundreds of thousands of Michiganders who continue to receive collection letters. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. And so if an individual really desires to meet with someone in person, you know if their comfort level and the best level of communication and understanding for them is in person, they can go online to our website and make an appointment are their local office. Understand that each case is unique and can be complicated to adjudicate. Schedule a VIRTUAL APPOINTMENT. If you received an unemployment notice (letter) from the State of Michigan UIA, but did not file an unemployment claim, or, if you try to file an unemployment insurance claim and a claim has already been established in your name, then your personal identifying information may have been stolen and used fraudulently. Use the Cross or Check marks in the top toolbar to select your answers in the list boxes. If you suspect that you may be a victim of unemployment identity theft, report the crime immediately. Full-screen FlightAware TV maps for operators or FBOs. There werent a lot of checks and balances. Select "Individual" and complete the online Individual Identity Theft form. DETROIT The Unemployment Insurance Agency has added a virtual appointment option for customers needing assistance with their claims, including a dedicated link for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing utilizing voice to text closed captioning. Youre now the third. Question: When you hear from people frustrated with the UIA, what is the No. These people are frustrated. Consultative detailed and customized flight tracking data reports. Once the virtual appointment is scheduled, customers will receive an email with a link to join the appointment via Google Meet at the appointed day and time. Customers in need of other special accommodations to participate in a virtual meeting should request the accommodation when initially scheduling their appointment. I get a letter stating that I owe them for my unemployment that I collected in 2020 plus any unemployment I had collected in 2021, which was about $7,000, Holt explained. Dale: We have a division that is focused on identifying fraud, and this group also works in partnership with the fraud task force. So again, launching a new webpage to really explain our system and our processes. Some examples of unemployment fraud include, but are not limited to: submitting false information about employment status, submitting false information about earnings, and failing to report new employment including part time employment, including part time and temporary employment. 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. LANSING, Mich. Michigan residents who had PUA and PEUC claims that ended in December can now reopen, certify or apply for benefits, state unemployment officials said. Unemployment Fraud Costs Everyone Fact Sheet, Video: How to Avoid Committing Unemployment Fraud (2:38 minutes). We have seen trends across the country that are not unique to what were seeing in Michigan, whether were looking at certainly identity theft plays a factor in there, larger criminal efforts. This video explainshow to set up an appointment for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing. You know, UIA is a complex program. You may also mail to Unemployment Insurance Agency, PO Box 169, Grand Rapids, MI 49501, or by fax at 517-636-0427 How-To Videos 8/26/2022 UPDATE: NEW UIA CLASS ACTION FILED. For example, claimants need documentation showing their employment or self-employment for the tax year prior to when they filed their original claim for benefits. New PUA applications filed in 2021 should include supportive documentation of employment in 2020. B738. You may submit the form by uploading it to your MiWAM account by clicking Send Unemployment a Message. I got a letter UIA 6347 which asked me to verify my identity by going to WiWAm for Michigan. The Letter ID that you submitted found on UIA Form 6347, did not match our records. Michigans Unemployment Insurance Agency made mistakes and according to an audit, ultimately, overpaid more than $8 billion in improper benefits. You'll have to show proof of guardianship or power of attorney to be able to speak on a claimant's behalf. Individuals who filed their original PUA claim in 2020 need documentation to support employment in 2019. We recognize that those are things that we need to have in place. The university is working with the State of Michigan UIA Fraud Investigation Unit to help identify and mitigate fraudulent activity. Call the State of Michigan UIA Claimant Hotline at (866) 500-0017. What we are doing right now, however, is were identifying amongst our staff -- both permanent and part-time staff -- were looking at -- where are the knowledge and technical gaps? Select the date, time, and type of appointment you would like to schedule. But if that was the case then it would have been done long before now.. She protested the decision, but its now 2022 and shes still waiting for a decision on her protest. I get reports of those calls and I get reports of where we are with appointments, and so we have options either way. Disclaimer & Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Sitemap. I do think that people tend to feel more satisfied when they have an opportunity to meet with someone face-to-face. The UIA says she has to pay back more than $25,000, the full amount of money she received. They have done an excellent job of working one-on-one with my staff to understand our process, but theyre not only working with our staff, theyre talking with out claimants, theyre talking with employers to have a better understanding of the frustrations that theyve experienced, with an end goal of really looking to improve not only our correspondence with individuals but also our website, you know, our online interactions and also the interactions that occur at our local centers.. Additionally, file an identity theft complaint with the FTC. The UIA has tripled its staff. If you would like to notify the Governors office of your UIA experience, you may do so here. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. Question: Do you think one of the problems is, too, that early in the pandemic the UIA did work to hire a lot of new people?

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