Benefit Payment Control Unit (BPCU) 200 Folly Brook Blvd. Wethersfield, CT 06109 Esta página en español To ask questions about your overpayment and receive an email response: Click here. Contact Information: Fax Number: (860) 263-6343 Unemployment Fraud Hotline: 1-800-894-3490 Email Address: DOL.BPCU@ct.gov

Report Unemployment Fraud

• Click here for Fraud Prosecution Program details and how to report suspected fraud.

Overview

The Benefit Payment Control Unit (BPCU), governed by Section 31-273 of the Connecticut General Statutes and Sections 31-273-1 to 31-273-9 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, is responsible for the prevention, detection and recovery of overpaid unemployment compensation benefits.  There are two types of overpayments: fraud and non-fraud.  A fraud overpayment is the result of wilful misrepresentation or wilful nondisclosure of information provided by an individual in order to obtain unemployment compensation benefits. 

Monetary Penalties - A monetary penalty is assessed to all fraudulent overpayments established on or after October 1, 2013 and is in addition to the actual amount of the overpayment. For the first fraudulent overpayment one will have to pay a penalty in the amount equal to 50% (1/2) of the overpayment amount and for any additional fraudulent overpayments one will have to pay a penalty equal to the amount of the overpayment (100% of the overpayment).

Overpayments to individuals can also result from an employer protesting an eligibility issue, or from the reversal by an appeals referee of an earlier decision to grant benefits.  An individual who fails to seek work or who fails to properly maintain their eligibility status during the claim series can also be charged with an overpayment. Such overpayments are referred to as “non-fraud” overpayments.

Interest Charges – For fraudulent overpayments, if found to be in non-compliance of the law, interest at a rate of 1% of the current balance will be charged each month.

Methods used to prevent or limit overpayments include the use of sophisticated computer cross-matches with state and federal databases, return-to-work reports, and tips from the public.

When a potential overpayment has been detected, staff will conduct a full audit of the weeks involved.  Once the audit is completed, a letter will be sent to the individual explaining the potential overpayment as well as the individual’s rights and responsibilities.

REPAYMENT:

After an overpayment decision becomes final, immediate repayment of those benefits is required.  If payment is not made immediately, the Labor Department may employ one or all of the following methods to recoup the overpaid amount.

• Personal Checks or Money Orders - The Labor Department accepts personal checks, money orders  payable to: ADMINISTRATOR UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.
  
  Send your Check/Money Order to:

• Credit Card/E-Check - The Labor Department offersyou the option of using your Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, Debit Card, or E-Check at (Official Payments link). Please note: A convenience fee will be charged by the service provider. You will be informed of the amount of the convenience fee during the transaction and you may choose to cancel the transaction.
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• Offsets – A full or partial deduction directly from the claimant’s weekly benefit applied toward the overpayment. If you are filing for Unemployment Benefits and have a balance on a prior overpayment, money will be deducted from your benefits and applied toward the overpayment

• Wage Garnishment – If you are not complying with mandatory repayment of an overpayment, the Labor Department may get a court order to have your wages garnished to repay the debt.

• State and Federal Tax Refund Intercepts – Agreements with the State Department of Revenue Services and the U.S. Treasury allows for the intercepting of tax refunds to be applied against non-compliant overpayments.