Repay unemployment benefit debt

Find out how to repay overpayment debt or set up a payment plan.

Department of Unemployment Assistance

Phone

Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

To request weekly benefits, daily 6 a.m.–10 p.m.

To check your claim or benefit payment status

Select or reset your 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN)

Set up, change, or cancel direct deposit

The Details

What you need

If you received an overpayment notice from the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA), you can:

How to pay

To pay with your credit card or bank account: 

  1. Log in to your Unemployment Services for Workers account
  2. Visit the "Benefit details" section and select "View more benefit details"
  3. Select "Additional services"
  4. Select the type of payment you’d like to make
  5. Follow the prompts to complete your request. Include your Claimant ID in the memo area.

Send a check or money order: 

  • Make it out for the exact amount you owe (whether that’s a one-time payment or an installment)
  • Make it payable to the Department of Unemployment Assistance
  • Write your Claimant ID on it
  • Include the completed repayment voucher from your Monthly Statement of Account
  • Mail it to:
    Department of Unemployment Assistance
    Attn: UI Benefit Collections
    P.O. Box 9699
    Boston, MA 02114

Do not send cash. 

More info

Request a payment plan

What happens if the debt is not paid

If you don't repay the debt, set up a payment plan, or apply for a waiver, DUA can:

If overpayments are due to fault or fraud, they may be subject to interest and penalties.

Interest

Interest on overpayments due to fault or fraud begins accruing 30 days after the overpayment notice is sent. The interest rate is 12% of the unpaid principal per year.

Penalties

There may be a one-time 15% penalty on overpayments due to fault or fraud. You may also need to serve penalty weeks for each week that you were at fault for the overpayments.

  • Penalty weeks begin the next time you apply for unemployment or request weekly benefits
  • You need to request weekly benefits each week that you are unemployed to complete the penalty weeks
  • You will not receive benefits during your penalty weeks
  • You will not receive benefits until the penalty weeks are complete

Contact

Address
Boston Re-Employment Center (by appointment only)
2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111
Phone

Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

To request weekly benefits, daily 6 a.m.–10 p.m.

To check your claim or benefit payment status

Select or reset your 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN)

Set up, change, or cancel direct deposit

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