Unemployment Benefits

Jan 29, 2015

OUTCOME: Overturned

A gentleman came to my office who had been initially approved for his unemployment benefits. The employer appealed the decision and a hearing was scheduled at the Massachusetts Department of Unemploym ... ent Assistance (DUA). The gentleman attended that hearing unrepresented and the decision approving his benefit was overturned. Unfortunately, he began receiving bills from the Commonwealth demanding repayment of approximately $21,000.00 (or 26 weeks of unemployment benefits). By the time this gentleman came to my office for a consultation, the deadline for him to file a further appeal had lapsed. It was time to get creative! Instead, we requested a payment waiver from the Commonwealth, which, of course, was initially denied. We appealed that determination and attended a hearing to argue the payment waiver. Following the hearing, the Commonwealth overturned the denial and determined that the client was not responsible for repayment of any amount!