UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE - OVERPAYMENTS

Next in this discussion is a review of the two regulations promulgated by the Department of Labor regarding overpayments. These are found in ARTICLE 1, REGULATIONS OF THE INDUSTRIAL COMMISSIONER, PART 470 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
(Statutory authority: Labor Law, § 530; Article 18):

§ 470.4 Overpaid unemployment insurance benefits

The Commissioner of Labor shall, as provided for in section 18 of the State Finance Law, waive the assessment of interest and late charges on debts owed which occurred as a result of overpayment of unemployment insurance benefits.


§ 470.5 Setoff against unemployment insurance benefits

Established and outstanding overpaid unemployment insurance benefits shall be collected from a claimant's weekly benefit award as a setoff.

Priority of liquidation. In the event that more than one overpayment is established against an individual claimant, setoff amounts will be debited to such overpayments in chronological order.

Willful overpayment. A setoff of 100 percent of the weekly benefit amount will apply to one or more established and outstanding overpayments attributable to an individual claimant so long as at least one of such overpayments is determined to have been willful.

Non-willful overpayment. A setoff of 50 percent of the weekly benefit amount will apply to one or more established and outstanding overpayments attributable to an individual claimant so long as none of such overpayments are determined to have been willful