Detecting and recovering benefit overpayments

Reference: Minnesota Law, §268.18 Subd.6

The Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program uses various methods to detect benefit overpayments, including a computer cross match to compare quarterly wages reported by employers with benefit payments made to applicants. Auditors verify return-to-work dates and wages reported by applicants, investigate benefit charge issues raised by employers, and follow up on tips from the public.

The UI Program keeps records of all benefit overpayments. Detection of overpayments results in reduced charges to employer accounts. Methods used to recover overpayments include:

• Monthly billing statements,
• Deductions from future benefits,
• Liens filed on property,
• Seizing state income and property tax refunds,
• Monthly payment plan agreements,
• Court ordered restitution resulting from criminal prosecutions,
• Garnishment of wages (worksheet | separation worksheet),
• Intervention in workers' compensation cases, and
• Referral to the Minnesota Department of Revenue Collection Division or private collection agency for collection.