Michigan Woman Faces $16K Unemployment Repayment Demand

Amanda Doubblestien, a 42-year-old single mother from White Cloud, Michigan, recently received a letter from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) demanding repayment of $16,067 in unemployment benefits she received during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s so confusing,” Doubblestien expressed. “It seems so wrong.”

In September 2025, the UIA notified approximately 350,000 individuals that collections on overpaid benefits would resume, aiming to recover $2.7 billion from workers who were deemed to have received benefits they weren’t eligible for during 2020 and 2021.

“We understand the impact these collections will have on household budgets,” stated UIA Director Jason Palmer. “At the same time, we are legally obligated under the Michigan Employment Security Act to seek repayment.”

For those unable to repay, the UIA offers financial hardship waivers. Claimants can apply through their Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) accounts or by submitting Form 1795.

Legal experts advise affected individuals to seek assistance if they believe the overpayment determination is incorrect. “Some folks probably are, unfortunately, going to be making payments voluntarily just because they don’t want anything worse to happen,” said Tony Paris, an attorney from the Sugar Law Center in Detroit.

As collections resume, many Michigan residents like Doubblestien are grappling with unexpected financial burdens and seeking clarity on their obligations.