Do people have to pay back the unemployment insurance they drew?

[shraby]

My dau-in-law says she has to start paying it back in June in Georgia. I never heard of something like that before.

[shraby]

1. Does anyone know? My grandson says she does have to pay it back.

Need input..he's on the other end of emails tonight.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. did she have taxes taken out?

if not then, that might be what she is talking about.

[shraby]

3. I don't know, but the kid said she had to start paying it back in June, so it doesn't

sound like taxes. I know those are owed by people who draw.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

5. Perhaps they were caught working for cash or some other infraction???

I've heard of states going after paid benefits in cases like that.

[MADem]

6. Did she misstate her circumstances on her application for unemployment?

Did she work "under the table" and not report her earnings?

Did she have another job she didn't mention to the unemployment people?

Normally, people do not have to pay back their unemployment insurance. The one exception would be if there was a reason that the individual was not entitled to all or part of the payments.

[MiniMe]

7. No, you don't have to pay it back

Unless the company appeals for some reason, and wins. Or they find out that the person was working while they were collecting unemployment. If she got some kind of notice, it should state why she has to pay it back, and you can search on what that says. I found the following link on Georgia unemployment: http://www.dol.state.ga.us/js/unemployment_benefits_individuals.htm

[shraby]

13. Thanks..I just sent him the link.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. short answer: in some instances, yes.

[SaintPete]

11. the only reason you have to pay it back

is if you weren't supposed to have received it in the first place - whether due to fraud or error, or --as another DUer said - after being successfully challenged by the company that terminated employment.

[shraby]

12. To the ones who thought she might not be entitled, she definitely was, and definitely wasn't working

under the table. I think my grandson misunderstood, and the sticky wicket was whether she had taxes taken out or not. After talking to him further, I'm pretty sure he didn't understand as much as he thought he did.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

21. you are welcome. I thought that was probably the issue. Best wishes to your DiL.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

20. yes, I know that.

That is what "in some instances" mean.

[SaintPete]

23. My post was supposed to be a response to the OP

not you

[trackfan]

9. I think only if there were some sort of adjudication that she was not

entitled to the benefits she had been receiving would she have to pay it back. If she was legitimately receiving unemployment benefits, I would think that that is her money, and that she would only be responsible for any income taxes owed thereon.

[elleng]

10. ?

Unlikely, imo. This?
Georgia Begins Repaying Debt on Unemployment Benefits.
http://www2.wsav.com/news/2011/sep/29/georgia-begins-repaying-debt-unemployment-benefits-ar-2483694/

More here; may or may not be relevant:

http://www.bankruptcylawnetwork.com/if-i-was-overpaid-unemployment-benefits-and-the-state-wants-me-to-pay-it-back-will-bankruptcy-help/

All the facts should be looked into carefully.
I think I read a DU post by an 'expert' in unemployment process and law recently. Check Economy and Personal Finance forums.

EDIT: Useful info and resources in post #7 above.

[dionysus]

14. my guess would be if it was improperly issued, ie someone was claiming and caught getting paid

under the table

[rocktivity]

15. You shouldn't have to pay it back unless you took it when you weren't supposed to.

After all, your taxes paid INTO the program -- Unemployment benefits are NOT an "entitlement."

rocktivity

[MrSlayer]

16. You shouldn't have to.

You pay into it the whole time you're working, essentially it's your own money.

[BlueToTheBone]

18. Actually, the employee pays nothing into

the system. It is the employer who pays the unemployment insurance premium. Generally 3-5% of the gross salary base.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

22. This is correct.

[BlueToTheBone]

17. only if she drew the benefits

to which she was not entitled. But, Georgia is its own world and may have other rules.

[JSnuffy]

19. Most states put the requirement on the employer...

.. for the actual monthly "dues"

[julian09]

24. check pay stub for deductions.

[GobBluth]

25. I once had it for four months, outside of the IRS, I didn't pay back anything. I am in FL. nt

[WillyT]

26. Why In Hell Would They ???

Or should they?