State seeking to waive unemployment overpayment

October 30, 2020 | 12:07 am

Updated October 29, 2020 | 11:13 pm

Graphic by Owensboro Times

Amy Cubbage on Thursday provided an update regarding unemployment insurance (UI) claims, including the lingering issue of mistakenly paid benefits. She also warned Kentuckians to be on the lookout for a specific email scam regarding UI. 

As first reported by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, some Kentuckians were approved for unemployment benefits during the pandemic, but were later told they were ineligible — and that they had to give that assistance back to the government.

Cubbage, Gov. Andy Beshear’s general counsel, said that Labor Cabinet Secretary Larry Roberts, has requested from the U.S. Department of Labor (US DOL) the ability to waive the obligation to obtain repayment of mistakenly paid benefits that may have occurred after the federal government changed their eligibility guidance.

“We have not heard back from U.S. DOL but remain hopeful we will be allowed some flexibility on these overpayments,” Cubbage said. “If granted, we will be able to provide significant relief to many Kentuckians.”

Cubbage also warned Kentuckians to be on the lookout for email scammers using this fake account: [email protected]. She said scammers are trying to obtain personal information and shared tips to avoid the scam:

  • Never respond to an email unless it is from a ky.gov domain and is clearly marked as coming from a Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance (OUI) employee.
  • Know that you will never be asked to click on a link in an email from OUI.
  • Know that unless you initiate contact with U.S. DOL you should not receive any emails from U.S. DOL about your claim.

October 30, 2020 | 12:07 am

Share this Article

Other articles you may like