State wants $2.7 billion in unemployment paid back

LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency says around 350,000 people who filed for unemployment insurance benefits dating back to March 2020 need to return the money.

Many of the affected claims totaling $2.7-billion were filed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

UIA director Jason Palmer called it “an incredibly difficult position for these people to be in and its a difficult position for the UIA because we have a duty to collect this money by law.” He says they are trying to balance what they are requesting and giving people the chance to apply for waivers.