Request an overpayment waiver

Learn how to request an overpayment waiver with the Department of Unemployment (DUA).

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 owe unemployment benefit debt, you may be eligible for an overpayment waiver if you can't afford to pay the debt. 

When reviewing waiver requests, DUA considers a few things, including if:

  • Paying back the debt would make it difficult for you to pay for ordinary expenses or
  • You gave up other benefits (such as SNAP) to get unemployment benefits or
  • You used your unemployment benefits to make a financial decision you wouldn't have made without them

If you owe debt due to fault or fraud, you are not eligible for an overpayment waiver.

Previous waiver requests

If you previously submitted a waiver request and it was denied, you can request again if your financial circumstances have changed.

If you already made payments

You can request a waiver even if you already paid part of the balance. DUA will not refund anything paid before the waiver.

How to request

  1. Log in to your Unemployment Services for Workers account
  2. Select "View more benefit details"
  3. Select "Additional services"
  4. In the "Benefits" section, select "Request for waiver of overpayment"
  5. Follow the prompts to complete your request

Call (877) 626-6800 to have a Request for a Waiver of Overpayment application mailed to you.

Mail your completed application to:
Department of Unemployment Assistance
Attn: Benefit Collections Department
100 Cambridge St, 4th Floor, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114

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

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback