Unemployment Payback IDES is at it again, says Terry
Hi Terry-
I emailed you some concerns on my unemployment status because I am a public school teacher back in the summer of 2020. Please see an update as of yesterday. I am not sure what to do. Any assistance or guidance you can give me, I would appreciated.
June 2020-My summer employment at the Naperville Park District is terminated as the facility that I manage is closed due to the pandemic. We are told by the park district that we can now file for unemployment benefits. I had several early conversations with Illinois Department of Employment, and clearly explained to them every time that I was a teacher and that the park district job has been my secondary income for almost 30 years. I received benefits all summer
September of 2020-I ended my benefits on September 5th, 2020 because labor day weekend is when my employment with the park district ends as it is a seasonal job and the facility closes
October 2020-I get a letter in the mail from the Illinois department of Employment requesting an interview to see if I still qualify for benefits. I take the interview, which lasted about 45 minutes. At the end of the interview, the woman that I spoke with informed me that although my claim was not fraudulent, that I needed to pay back all of the money that I received from Unemployment.
I called a local attorney (Karen Doren in Naperville) and she directed me to not sign anything and get back to her when I received another notice from Unemployment. I also asked you what you thought and you replied not to sign anything.
January 24,2022-I received my this notice from Unemployment on January 24, 2022 stating that I owed $18,000 back to them. You can see the attachment that I have included.
What do you think I should do?
Terry Says
You need to apply for a WAIVER of payback of benefits! The state has had a policy of trying to re-collect, even when they are WRONG! No benefits need to be paid back if there was not fraud involved. And i hope you have a record of that conversation — or you might have to go through it again!
Watch this video from last summer to know you are not alone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alYAlGnIGlg\
Then read this section of the IDES website: https://ides.illinois.gov/unemployment/overpayments.html
You’ll notice that there is NO WAY to download a waiver form. Instead, you are supposed to wait for them to figure it out and send it to you! Below is the wording:
How do I apply for a waiver?
If applicable to you, you will receive a notice that you can request a waiver of recovery of an overpayment along with a questionnaire and instructions on how to file it with IDES. To be considered for a waiver, you must complete the questionnaire in full by providing clear, detailed responses to each question and return the questionnaire to IDES by the deadline stated on the form. If additional information is needed, you will be contacted by an IDES representative. Requests for the waiver of recovery of an overpayment must be completed through the individualized questionnaire. Due to the complexity of state and federal unemployment insurance programs in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, mailings are being sent in batches on a rolling basis and will be completed over time.
I think you should contact Sen. Durbin’s office and explain your situation — that they are hounding you for repayment, won’t send you a waiver claim form, and have already told you your claim is not fraudulent. Maybe he can stir something up. And be sure to tell him I sent you!!
