Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said that there would be “no clawback” of overpaid unemployment benefits doled out during the height of the pandemic despite stories from lawmakers and their constituents who have said they’ve been contacted to repay money they received in error.
Baker, talking with reporters after a meeting with legislative leadership said the benefits currently under review are tied to the enhanced federal unemployment benefits authorized in response to COVID-19 and said $1.8 billion in overpayments that went out as officials quickly set up the program and tried to get money to out-of-work residents have been waived for repayment.
The Boston Globe reported that as much as $2.7 billion in overpayments went to over 700,000 claimants.
“There has been no clawback and there won’t be a clawback,” Baker said. Rep. Joan Meschino, a Hull Democrat, has filed legislation that would clarify the standards used to determine whether a beneficiary of unemployment benefits qualifies for a waiver from having to repay excess benefits, including if the benefits were used for everyday living expenses and received through no fault of the beneficiary.
Should the Department of Unemployment Assistance requested payback of monies you received through no fault of your own, contact the Law Offices of Renee Lazar at 978-844-4095 to schedule a FREE one hour no obligation consultation.