Were you wrongly asked to repay COVID-era unemployment benefits in Michigan?

Adrian Fluellen, 29, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced for his role in a multi-state, million-dollar unemployment insurance fraud scheme aimed at defrauding the U.S. government and the states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Maryland of funds earmarked for unemployment assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michigan’s unemployment rate dropped by three-tenths of a percent to 3.8% last month, according to the Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Employment in Michigan rose by 30,000, unemployment decreased by 14,000, and Michigan’s labor force increased by 18,000 over the month.

On Thursday, Mayor Mike Duggan was touting something that hasn’t been seen in Detroit in 22 years.

In an effort to help “streamline” the processing of claims, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency will receive a new computer system within the next few years.

More Detroit residents are getting a paycheck than we’ve seen in the past two decades.

Michigan lawmakers agreed to set aside $20 million to settle a lawsuit by thousands of people who were wrongly accused of fraud when seeking unemployment benefits.

Thousands of people wrongly accused of fraud when seeking unemployment benefits can seek financial penalties from the state.

Michigan’s unemployment agency announced another round of waivers and refunds for filers who were overpaid and asked to pay back the overpayment.

A Detroit woman took a job as a Michigan unemployment insurance examiner and helped a group of others file more than 35 fraudulent claims and steal thousands in COVID unemployment benefits, official said.

If you’ve filed for or receive unemployment benefits in Michigan, officials are warning about a phishing scam targeting filers through text messages.

Three letter carriers have been charged for accepting bribes from a Farmington Hills man to help him steal credit cards from other people and intercept fraudulent COVID unemployment benefits he sent to homes along their routes, officials said.

A 28-year-old Farmington Hills man bribed letter carriers to obtain other people’s credit cards and later expanded his scheme to have those carriers intercept fraudulent COVID unemployment benefits he had filed for and sent to homes along their routes, officials said.

Two Detroit men and a Warren woman helped a former Michigan resident who is currently in prison operate a $2.2 million scheme that involved submitting 240 fraudulent COVID unemployment insurance claims, officials said.

More than 55,000 Michiganders will not have to pay back a total of $431 million in pandemic unemployment benefits that was improperly awarded to them, the state announced.

A Troy woman, who worked with Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency, and a Detroit man have been charged for running a scheme to steal unemployment benefits, authorities said.

Michigan residents waiting for their tax forms from the Michigan Unemployment Agency can now get them online.

Michigan residents waiting for their tax forms from the Michigan Unemployment Agency can now get them online.

A Southfield woman has been charged for using other people’s identities to make more than 35 fraudulent unemployment claims, police said.

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Director Julia Dale took over the position in October 2021.

She filed for unemployment as an independent contractor and soon the checks she needed arrived, but then late last year she received a notification from UIA telling her she owed the state $17,000. She was stunned.

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has been riddled with big problems since the start of the pandemic.

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Director Julia Dale took over the position in October 2021.

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Director Julia Dale took over the position in October 2021.

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Director Julia Dale took over the position in October 2021.

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) tells us fraud is on the rise.

I know so many of you have struggled to speak with a real person at the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Help Me Hank has been fighting for you since the beginning, fielding thousands of your unemployment complaints.

New data released Tuesday shows Michigan ranking among the worst states when it comes to unemployment recovery since the pandemic disrupted the workforce.

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose to the highest level in three months as the fast-spreading omicron variant disrupted the job market.

Michigan’s new director of the unemployment office was questioned by lawmakers on Thursday.

Are you not receiving payments? Are you being billed for overpayments that you don’t think are correct? Something else?

The Unemployment Insurance Agency said they have flagged 10,000 recent claims for fraud. Why is there such a dramatic increase this time of year?

Michigan likely paid about $8.5 billion in fraudulent unemployment benefits over a 19-month period during the coronavirus pandemic, far more than previously estimated, according to a report released by the state.

A Detroit man pleaded guilty to stealing unemployment benefits from nine different states, and he tried and failed to do so in eight others, federal officials said.

A big change is coming for people in Michigan filing for unemployment.

"Do I need to pull out my guns and go down there and shoot every [expletive] member of that unemployment agency?"

The battle over unemployment benefits continues for thousands of Michigan residents who said they’re still owed money from the system.

House Republicans say this is just the beginning. They’re currently drafting the wording of legislation they hope to introduce soon aimed at reforming the Unemployment Insurance Agency.

The expiration of the $300 weekly unemployment benefit boost impacts nearly 9 million people across the country.

“If we thought that people were going to be rushing to jobs because they saw their benefits about to expire, today’s jobs release numbers were not in accord with that,” Hershbein said.

Ann Arbor ranked fourth on SmartAsset's Best Places for Career Opportunities in 2021 list.

Federal officials have charged 14 people from Wayne and Macomb counties in connection with a fraud scheme to steal COVID unemployment benefits.

Michigan’s unemployment director was in Lansing on Tuesday as lawmakers demanded answers for everything that’s gone wrong with the system.

Ann Arbor made CommercialCafe's 'Top 20 Most Underrated Cities in the Country' list.

About 350,000 Michigan residents who received federal unemployment aid will not have to repay benefits even though the state told them that some reasons for eligibility it approved at the start of the pandemic were not OK.

People collecting unemployment may be at risk of having their identity stolen.

More than 600,000 Michigan residents may not have had the unemployment eligibility they thought they did during the pandemic.

The state is investing millions of dollars into its Michigan Works! program in an effort to help unemployed residents find work.

Michigan is reopening 12 unemployment offices for in-person appointments.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants Michiganders who are returning to work after being laid off as well as new hires to be eligible for a $300 weekly bonus.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed a $300 weekly back-to-work bonus as an incentive to get eligible workers back into the workforce.

Michigan residents who need to report work search activity by phone will have to follow a new certification schedule

Michigan residents who need to report work search activity by phone will have to follow a new certification schedule

Michigan residents who need to report work search activity by phone will have to follow a new certification schedule announced by the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency starting June 7.

Businesses in Downtown Detroit are looking for help as things get back to normal.

New jobs and unemployment numbers show promise and a positive trend across the nation and in Michigan.

Michigan residents who are collecting unemployment need to watch out for a new scam.

Teenagers have become the most sought after employees to keep the labor force afloat during the COVID pandemic.

Michigan will reinstate a requirement that people receiving unemployment benefits show they are actively searching for work, effective May 30, but has no plan to end a $300 weekly federal supplement going to 816,000 jobless residents.

People currently receiving unemployment benefits are going to start experiencing new changes.

Starting May 30, Michigan residents on unemployment will need to start looking for work to keep getting benefits.

Starting May 30, Michigan residents on unemployment will need to start looking for work to keep getting benefits.

Liza Estlund Olson was brought in to make major changes to Michigan’s unemployment system.

The Secret Service is investigating unemployment fraud across the country and returning cash to state’s impacted.

Employers added just 266,000 jobs in April, sharply lower than in March and far fewer than economists had expected.

Businesses across Michigan are struggling to find employees.

Under the U.S.’ American Rescue Plan, unemployment benefits received in 2020 are not taxable -- to a certain extent.

Frustrated business owners who are offering bonuses and upgraded wages testified in front of the Michigan House Oversight Committee that they can’t get workers because of expanded state and federal unemployment benefits.

Despite fewer restrictions than previously, some businesses are finding it difficult to get back up and running. Although there are “Help Wanted” signs seen outside of businesses, not enough people are filling the positions.

A Geico breach is connected to a big unemployment scam in Michigan.

The U.S. government’s American Rescue Plan has changed how unemployment benefits are taxed amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Extended unemployment benefits for Michigan residents will no longer be available after this week because the state’s unemployment rate dropped below the required threshold.

Some businesses are thriving during the coronavirus by producing products that are in high demand, but they’re struggling to find people willing to work.

Some businesses are having trouble opening again after the COVID pandemic restrictions loosened.

A new or additional claim for unemployment benefits filed within 28 days of the last day the claimant worked will no longer be considered to have been filed on time. LANSING, Mich – According to state law, some temporary expansions in unemployment eligibility and cost-sharing applicable to state unemployment claims are set to expire on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Unemployment expansions expiring include:28-day late filingA new or additional claim for unemployment benefits filed within 28 days of the last day the claimant worked will no longer be considered to have been filed on time. Individuals who are disqualified for state unemployment benefits based on these reasons may qualify for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Relaxed eligibility requirements for the Work Share programEmployers must meet and maintain the traditional requirements for Work Share plans.

Thousands of Michigan residents are still struggling with the Michigan Unemployment Agency while trying to get their benefits. A Metro Detroit father is one of the people who thought his issue was fixed, but then the money once again stopped coming due to another glitch. READ: Michigan officials say unemployment rate declined in February -- here are the numbersBrandon Gregware has been struggling with the unemployment agency. If you find yourself in a similar situation you should call the Unemployment Insurance Agency and set up an appointment. Thursday’s report from the Labor Department showed that jobless claims climbed from 725,000 the week before.

Michigan officials said unemployment numbers in the state declined in February for the second consecutive month. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by half a percentage point during February, to 5.2%, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Despite the jobless rate reduction, the state employment level edged down slightly over the month (-14,000), as did the number of unemployed (-28,000), state officials revealed. The unemployment rate in the U.S. decreased in February by one-tenth of a percentage point, to 6.2%, data shows. Since the height of pandemic-related layoffs in April 2020, Michigan unemployment fell by 841,000, or by 77.6%.

(AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)WASHINGTON – The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week to 770,000, a sign that layoffs remain high even as much of the U.S. economy is steadily recovering from the coronavirus recession. Thursday's report from the Labor Department showed that jobless claims climbed from 725,000 the week before. A total of 4.1 million people are continuing to collect traditional state unemployment benefits, down 18,000 from the previous week. No single factor fully explains the still-high level of weekly applications for state unemployment aid. In addition, the expansion of supplemental federal unemployment benefits has likely encouraged more jobless Americans to apply for aid.

Unemployment fraud in the U.S. has reached dramatic levels during the pandemic: more than $63 billion has been paid out improperly through fraud or errors since March 2020. Here's what you should know about how to spot unemployment fraud, protect yourself and what to do if you are a victim. TAKE ACTIONIf you are a victim, reach out to your state unemployment office to report the fraud. Those steps will not prevent unemployment fraud from being committed, but could deter further crime. The IRS has tips for victims of unemployment fraud and filing taxes online.

DETROIT – In addition to the nearly 16,000 COVID-related deaths in Michigan over the last year, we know the pandemic has been devastating to businesses. AdThere have been a few bright spots with some businesses seeing an uptick in businesses due to the pandemic. Dimitri Polychronou owns Earl’s Dry Cleaning. People have been great to work with during this pandemic,” Millen said. AdThe majority of locally-owned businesses have really struggled, but there is hope of things improving as vaccine distribution expands.

Some Michigan residents who were previously eligible will no longer receive additional weeks of unemployment benefits, the state revealed. Michigan is no longer in a high unemployment period, so claimants receiving extended benefits and pandemic unemployment assistance will not longer receive them for extra weeks, according to state officials. Under federal law, a state in a high unemployment period receives seven additional weeks of PUA and EB benefits. Since Michigan is no longer in a high unemployment period, those seven extra weeks will not be paid, according to officials. AdFor residents receiving extra benefits who have already been paid for the maximum number of weeks, their claim is considered exhausted, and there are no more weeks of extra benefits available, state officials said.

Most of the parents said that their children learned online from home, using school-provided electronic resources, educational apps and social media. Roughly 35% of parents reported that their children’s behavior changed since the pandemic began, including feelings of sadness, loneliness and depression. Daily schedule disruptions and a lack of access to free and reduced-price meals from school were significant stressors, parents reported. “Research suggests that, unfortunately, the high levels of stress, anxiety and depression among parents remained high through the summer and early fall. Co-authors on the study are U-M doctoral student in psychology and social work, Kaitlin Ward and U-M undergraduate research assistants Kasey Downing and Olivia Chang.

For those who turned to unemployment benefits last year, with tax season upon us, you might be wondering how it’s all going to shake out when it comes to filing your income taxes. But here’s the thing: You still have to pay federal taxes on said unemployment benefits. It ensures you won’t have that burden later, giving you a head start when tax season approaches. Pay quarterlyIf you didn’t have your taxes withheld, another option is to send quarterly estimated taxes on that money to the IRS. When quarterly taxes are due:When you get paid Tax due date Jan. 1–March 31 April 15 April 1–May 31 June 15 June 1–Aug.

DETROIT – People in Michigan trying to file for unemployment or update a claim said they have been struggling to get the benefits they need. Officials said several upgrades have been made in the last few months, but there are two major problems that are persisting despite those upgrades. READ: Thousands of Michigan residents still struggling to get unemployment benefitsThe first is the online system just can’t keep up with the demand. The other issue is identity theft. The identity theft is causing accounts to be frozen and even just lifting the freeze is a challenge.

DETROIT – As with so many things during the pandemic filing your taxes this year is very different. There is a whole new list of challenges for many who may have collected unemployment or suffered job loss. This year here is what you need to know if you collected unemployment or a stimulus check. “I just think it is the craziest year because there are so many moving parts,” said financial expert, Tom Hakim. AdFor those of you who have collected unemployment or received stimulus checks, you need to know how this could affect your taxes.

Some Michigan residents have been receiving 1099-G forms for unemployment benefits that they never applied for or received. Some have reported receiving a form from other states, while people living in other states have received the form from the state of Michigan. John Craig of Troy said he received a 1099-G form claiming he received $7,458. Click here for more information on the 1099-G tax form. AdHere’s some more information from UIA:Is there any new or additional information regarding the 1099-G crisis?

DETROIT – It has been riddled with problems since the start of the pandemic, but on Monday the Michigan Insurance Agency rolled out some badly needed changes. In order to help the thousands of unemployed people across the state it rolled out an updated computer system. It gives you an idea of just how dysfunctional the unemployment system is when the newly updated system crashed Monday morning. This new update covers pandemic unemployment assistance known as PUA and pandemic emergency unemployment compensation or PEUC. Answer: This is an issue with the state’s MiLogin system and is affecting more than the unemployment system.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan residents who had PUA and PEUC claims that ended in December can now reopen, certify or apply for benefits, state unemployment officials said. Officials with the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency said they have completed system updates for the recently extended federal unemployment insurance programs. All remaining Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation claimants whose claims ended when CARES Act programs were interrupted in December can now either reopen, certify or apply for benefits available under the Continued Assistance Act, according to the state. A new provision under the CAA requires PUA claimants to submit proof of employment or self-employment to maintain eligibility. Workers on regular state UI benefits will no longer receive the PEUC extension automatically.

DETROIT – Some Michigan residents have been receiving 1099-G forms for unemployment benefits that they never applied for or received. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency was hacked last year. She said receiving the 1099-G is just the latest update in a long struggle with the unemployment agency. The larger problem for many people is that they’re getting kicked up into a higher tax bracket, where the tax bill is still higher. READ: Task force cracking down on unemployment fraud in Michigan

Unemployment claims in Michigan have been at an all-time high during the pandemic. DETROIT – Someone is hacking into the Michigan unemployment office and filing claims for people who aren’t unemployed, Local 4′s Rod Meloni has learned. The victims didn’t know about these fraudulent claims until they saw unemployment income that they didn’t receive included on their tax forms, officials said. Those residents are being pushed up into a higher tax bracket as a result, state officials said. Michigan officials have seen an increase in fraudulent activities surrounding unemployment as thousands of residents try to get benefits because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal officials said the two filed at least 66 fraudulent Michigan unemployment insurance benefits claims, causing a loss of more than $150,000. “As I have said before, those who steal unemployment benefits steal from all of us. Court records show they had the fraudulent benefits deposited into a variety of bank accounts, including some connected to prepaid debit cards. Officials said Armstrong has filed fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits on behalf of people in Michigan, California and Pennsylvania. “The UIA remains committed to working closely with all of our federal and state partners on the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force to bring unemployment fraud cases to justice.”

RELATED: Michigan unemployment: Residents can start to claim remaining PEUC, PUA paymentsThere’s a new way people who are battling the Unemployment Insurance Agency can get help to solve these issues. The University of Michigan’s Workers’ Rights Clinic has law students assisting residents in solving what can be frustrating issues. Before the coronavirus pandemic, the school said the Workers’ Rights Clinic would average about 15 phone calls each week. The Workers’ Rights Clinic -- formerly the Unemployment Insurance Clinic -- offers advice, provides representation at more. To apply for legal assistance through the Workers’ Rights Clinic, visit the University of Michigan Law School’s official website here.

Michigan residents who have remaining pandemic unemployment payments can start to claim them this week, including the additional $300 COVID-19 benefit, state officials announced. Residents who claimed Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits and had weeks remaining on their claim as of Dec. 26, 2020, can start to certify their claims, according to the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. RELATED: Whitmer confirms start of $300 unemployment payments to Michiganders affected by COVID-19The certification process can be done through MiWAM accounts, officials said. Residents who didn’t exhaust their original 13 weeks of PEUC can claim the balance of remaining weeks, starting with the week ending Jan. 2, officials said. Claimants who didn’t exhaust their original 39 weeks of PUA payments can claim the balance of remaining weeks, beginning with the week ending Jan. 2, the state revealed.

The battle to collect unemployment benefits continues for many Michigan residents, but state officials said the $300 COVID-19 bonus is coming soon. State officials said that money is slowing making its way to Michigan. READ: Whitmer signs $106M relief bill, extends COVID-19 unemployment benefits through MarchThe Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payments run from Dec. 27, 2020, through March 13, 2021. They offer an additional $300 in benefits per week to Michigan claimants who were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Claimants don’t have to take action to receive the additional payments.

That includes a Metro Detroit man who investigators said withdrew nearly $150,000 before he was arrested. The scheme spread across two states and involved fake social security numbers, addresses and driver’s license numbers. The investigator reported large cash withdrawals at bank machines across Oakland County. Federal investigators said Baker received unemployment benefits from Pennsylvania in various victims’ names on the prepaid debit cards and used those cards to make the cash withdrawals. Surveillance images from the banks where cash withdrawals were made were used to identify Baker.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan has started making the $300 weekly COVID-19 unemployment payments to eligible residents who were affected by the pandemic. The Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payments run from Dec. 27, 2020, through March 13, 2021. They offer an additional $300 in benefits per week to Michigan claimants who were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. PEUC provides 11 additional weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted regular state unemployment benefits. PUA provides unemployment benefits to those not typically eligible for unemployment including self-employed and gig workers.

Gretchen Whitmer held a briefing Tuesday (Dec. 29) to discuss the state’s handling of COVID-19, a $106 million relief bill, unemployment benefits and more. Gretchen Whitmer signs a $106 million COVID-19 relief bill on Dec. 29, 2020. “I proposed this stimulus plan to the legislature in November because I know how much our families, frontline workers, and small businesses need relief,” Whitmer said. Whitmer vetoes other itemsWhen she signed the relief bill, Whitmer line item vetoed any items not subject to negotiated agreement. Requests for legislationWhitmer makes public requests of the Michigan Legislature during nearly every COVID-19 briefing, and Tuesday was no different.

Michigan’s most recent COVID-19 order has issued, extended and then revised tighter restrictions on the state over the past six weeks. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says the order has greatly improved the COVID-19 situation in Michigan, but does that timeline actually line up?