What is an overpayment?
Overpayments happen when the government determines that you received unemployment compensation benefits that you were not eligible for, even though they paid you.
There are two different kinds of PUA overpayments:
Fraud Overpayments
- The government decides that you knowingly or intentionally lied to the government or knowingly withheld information to make yourself eligible for benefits
- Interest is charged to the overpayment amount
- The government can take your entire weekly benefit amount until the overpayment is fully paid off
- The government can intercept your federal tax refund starting one year after the overpayment
- The government cannot garnish your wages
Non-fraud Overpayments
- The government paid you benefits you were not eligible for, but not due to any intentional misconduct on your part
- You are not required to pay back the overpayment
- There is no interest on the overpayment
- The government can take ⅓ (one-third) of your future unemployment benefits (for up to 4 years) until the amount is repaid
How do I know I have an overpayment?
If the government determines you have an overpayment, they will send you:
- A Notice explaining why there is an overpayment; and
- A Notice explaining the amount of the overpayment and the type of overpayment.
Can I repay the money?
You can choose to repay the money by mailing a check made payable to “PA UC Fund” to:
- Office of UC Benefits,
UI Payment Services, PO Box 67503
Harrisburg, PA 17106-7503
You should include your full name and social security number on the memo line. We strongly recommend taking photos of any check you send so that you have records of the payments.
Can I get the overpayment forgiven?
Pennsylvania claimants with non-fraud overpayments for PUA (or other federal programs, like PEUC and FPUC) can apply for waiver using the form provided in the mail by the government or by submitting the form on our website. If you are denied a waiver, you have the right to appeal.