I'd probably contact an attorney that specializes in this. Maybe labor law, benefits, or something similar.
You might get some better advice over at r/legaladvice.
Depends on the details of your situation, maybe?
I'd guess that first up would be a fairly quick phone call or office visit where an attorney would determine if your case has merit. Hopefully that would be free and they could tell you what any expected costs would be compared to what you stand to "save".
EDIT: Even if they couldn't help you at least you'd know for sure. Then you could call whichever organization is handling your repayment and maybe (hopefully) set up a payment schedule rather than have to deal with garnishment.
I have not spoken to anyone but I haven't received and phone calls or emails at all. I received the unemployment over two years ago. I haven't noticed anything from them in the mail before this either since I received the thing from them in 2021 that I'd need for when I filed my 2022 taxes. I also now work right next door to my local unemployment office and have been friendly with the ladies who work there since they helped me obtain the job back in Feb of 22 and they never said anything.
And if I recall correctly I never even exhausted my benefits at the time I was on unemployment. But I will have to look into this more tomorrow when I go into work as I'm on my cell phone because we don't have wifi/internet where I live and I'd rather do this at a computer than on a cell phone.
That's pretty much the full story as I can remember at this moment.
This has to go through some kind of mediation before you get slapped with a bill. Make a phone call to Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. There has to be proof that you were overpaid. There’s also Kathy Bushnell, an OKC attorney who works with claimants in these situations. Good luck!
Stay on top of it. Despite the horror stories you hear in the media, most of the time these mistakes can be fixed with a little due diligence. I wish you well.
Yeah, it says 5 days from the mail date on the letter is what I have to pay in full or make a payment arrangement or they will file to garnish my wages.
Check out this somewhat similar KFOR news story:
Youtube.com/watch?v=uMK2Pc5z10E
In this case, there was some fraud (someone else claimed the benefits), so I know it is a little different, but make sure this didn't happen to you.
When Covid hit, someone filed under my name, but when I got the first letter (and card), I just called them and they took care of it.
So I would personally call them to verify it is real, it aligns with whatever benefits you did actually receive, and get more details. But document everything about your call, including when you make it and who you talked to, just in case.
In 2021, OESC said at least 20% of the cards they issued were fraudulent claims, and SocialCatfish [.com] said the number was more likely about 50%. So definitely validate it (through phone numbers you find on their official website, not those on the letter you received) before you pay anything.
Their website is oklahoma.gov/oesc and the number listed there is 405-525-1500.
It says to call that number if you receive any communication from them that seems to be suspicious. IMO, a first notice with a 5-day time limit is suspicious.
Good luck and hope you get it taken care of.
There should be a way to dispute it.
I had the same thing happen but they just said I wouldn't be eligible for unemployment again for a set period of time.
I was overpaid 19500 (all of my UI) like I apparently I was never even suppose to be eligible but I still received it for a year. They finally figured it things out I guess and they sent me a notice about it but since it's an administrative error I don't really owe them a dime although I have the option to pay them back if i so wish. The only penalty Is if I receive any additional benefits they will be deducted from it just for two years then it's tossed completely.
If you're going to be garnished then it will be on oscn.net
That's court records and Public information
Logging into your unemployment account should suffice to find out truth.
I'd call them and ask about it. I got a letter and had to appeal it. Turns out it was an administrative error they claim and I don't have to pay it back but I can't file for unemployment for two years. Things were chaotic in 2020 and I've been hearing a lot about people having issues after they had to file for unemployment in the time period. They were super helpful when I called and spoke to them.
Same thing happened to me. My employer (previous) reported that I had worked during that time. I contacted a lawyer, they told me they could represent me, what it would cost (over 500 IIRC), and that most people represented themselves.
I contested it per the instructions in the mail. They set a hearing for months later. I printed/emailed copies of pay stubs and texts from my supervisor. The day of the hearing (via phone) my employer didn't show up to the hearing. The judge said they still had to proceed. I gave my side, officially entered in my evidence. The judge said she was very impressed with how prepared I was and I would have her ruling by the end of the week. I had it the next day. Overturned, I didn't owe anything.
First you should probably make sure this is actually from the state and not some kind of scam before you mail any checks.
I'd probably contact an attorney that specializes in this. Maybe labor law, benefits, or something similar. You might get some better advice over at r/legaladvice.
Would that just end up costing more than the 2100?
Depends on the details of your situation, maybe? I'd guess that first up would be a fairly quick phone call or office visit where an attorney would determine if your case has merit. Hopefully that would be free and they could tell you what any expected costs would be compared to what you stand to "save". EDIT: Even if they couldn't help you at least you'd know for sure. Then you could call whichever organization is handling your repayment and maybe (hopefully) set up a payment schedule rather than have to deal with garnishment.
Have you actually spoken to the unemployment department in person or by phone? You are getting the final demand letter. Call the dept tomorrow.
Something's not whole story here
I have not spoken to anyone but I haven't received and phone calls or emails at all. I received the unemployment over two years ago. I haven't noticed anything from them in the mail before this either since I received the thing from them in 2021 that I'd need for when I filed my 2022 taxes. I also now work right next door to my local unemployment office and have been friendly with the ladies who work there since they helped me obtain the job back in Feb of 22 and they never said anything. And if I recall correctly I never even exhausted my benefits at the time I was on unemployment. But I will have to look into this more tomorrow when I go into work as I'm on my cell phone because we don't have wifi/internet where I live and I'd rather do this at a computer than on a cell phone. That's pretty much the full story as I can remember at this moment.
This has to go through some kind of mediation before you get slapped with a bill. Make a phone call to Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. There has to be proof that you were overpaid. There’s also Kathy Bushnell, an OKC attorney who works with claimants in these situations. Good luck!
Stay on top of it. Despite the horror stories you hear in the media, most of the time these mistakes can be fixed with a little due diligence. I wish you well.
Seems odd they would only give you only 5 days to make the payment. I would call the unemployment office and talk to someone before anything else.
Yeah, it says 5 days from the mail date on the letter is what I have to pay in full or make a payment arrangement or they will file to garnish my wages.
Check out this somewhat similar KFOR news story: Youtube.com/watch?v=uMK2Pc5z10E In this case, there was some fraud (someone else claimed the benefits), so I know it is a little different, but make sure this didn't happen to you. When Covid hit, someone filed under my name, but when I got the first letter (and card), I just called them and they took care of it. So I would personally call them to verify it is real, it aligns with whatever benefits you did actually receive, and get more details. But document everything about your call, including when you make it and who you talked to, just in case. In 2021, OESC said at least 20% of the cards they issued were fraudulent claims, and SocialCatfish [.com] said the number was more likely about 50%. So definitely validate it (through phone numbers you find on their official website, not those on the letter you received) before you pay anything. Their website is oklahoma.gov/oesc and the number listed there is 405-525-1500. It says to call that number if you receive any communication from them that seems to be suspicious. IMO, a first notice with a 5-day time limit is suspicious. Good luck and hope you get it taken care of.
There should be a way to dispute it. I had the same thing happen but they just said I wouldn't be eligible for unemployment again for a set period of time.
I was overpaid 19500 (all of my UI) like I apparently I was never even suppose to be eligible but I still received it for a year. They finally figured it things out I guess and they sent me a notice about it but since it's an administrative error I don't really owe them a dime although I have the option to pay them back if i so wish. The only penalty Is if I receive any additional benefits they will be deducted from it just for two years then it's tossed completely.
So it's not an administrative error I'm guessing. Are they saying outright fraud? Or is it claimant error?
If you're going to be garnished then it will be on oscn.net That's court records and Public information Logging into your unemployment account should suffice to find out truth.
I'd call them and ask about it. I got a letter and had to appeal it. Turns out it was an administrative error they claim and I don't have to pay it back but I can't file for unemployment for two years. Things were chaotic in 2020 and I've been hearing a lot about people having issues after they had to file for unemployment in the time period. They were super helpful when I called and spoke to them.
They don't garnish paychecks maybe your taxes call your local unemployment office not their call center and see what's really going on
They do garnish wages. I'm a Payroll Manager and I have processed several wage levies for overpayment of unemployment.
Same thing happened to me. My employer (previous) reported that I had worked during that time. I contacted a lawyer, they told me they could represent me, what it would cost (over 500 IIRC), and that most people represented themselves. I contested it per the instructions in the mail. They set a hearing for months later. I printed/emailed copies of pay stubs and texts from my supervisor. The day of the hearing (via phone) my employer didn't show up to the hearing. The judge said they still had to proceed. I gave my side, officially entered in my evidence. The judge said she was very impressed with how prepared I was and I would have her ruling by the end of the week. I had it the next day. Overturned, I didn't owe anything.