If you receive benefits to which you are not entitled, you will be required to repay them, along with any costs, fees, and interest associated with collection.

Q: What is an overpayment?

A: An overpayment means unemployment benefits paid to and received by you to which you were not entitled. This includes amounts paid while an appeal by your former employer is pending prior to a decision being rendered against you, and amounts paid because you did not notify us of information that would have reduced or eliminated your benefit payment.

Q: How do I repay an overpayment?

A: When an overpayment determination is issued, you will automatically receive an installment agreement along with it.

• If you want to repay in installments, you should sign and return the agreement.
• You have the option to repay the full balance at once if you prefer.
• Regardless of whether you sign the installment agreement, you will still receive a monthly bill. This bill will state the minimum payment due by the 25th of each month, not full repayment in a single payment.

If you have questions about your overpayment or repayment agreement, contact the Benefit Payment Control Unit at (804) 786-8593.

Q: What if I fail to repay the overpayment?

A: If the overpayment is not repaid in full before you claim future benefits, a deduction (offset) will be made from those future benefits. The VEC also will use other methods to collect the money owed, including collection agencies, the Credit Bureau, wage garnishment, attachment of bank accounts, seizing of income tax refunds, and levy and sale of personal property.  The costs of collection, including administrative costs, attorney’s fees, late penalty, and interest can also be charged to you.