More people tell Action 9 North Carolina wants unemployment money back

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NORTH CAROLINA — The state calls it “overpayment,” just like it sounds. Sometimes people put in the wrong information when they’re applying for unemployment or their eligibility changes. We’re talking tax dollars and the state wants that money back. But it can be a shock.

Brenda Way will be 80 years old soon, but she says she was still working for a dental lab when the pandemic hit. “I got to thinking, that’s so

contagious,” she told Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke. So she left her job.

She applied for unemployment and got it. But -- a few months later -- the state sent her a letter, demanding $600 back. “Oh, my heart sank. I thought why did they send it to me?” she said.

Another woman -- a single mother of four -- who asked Stoogenke not to share her identity -- says the state sent her two letters demanding money back too. She owes more than $4,500. “I don’t have that kind of money to pay back,” she said.

She says she tried calling unemployment to get more information, but that -- like so many -- she had trouble getting through. “I’ve been on hold for hours and hours and hours and I can’t reach anyone. No one answers the phone... (inaudible) line is busy… the call just automatically hangs up.”

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The state acknowledges it’s hard for people to get through and says it’s working on it.

Way tried calling too and told Stoogenke she eventually got through, but that she still had trouble getting answers.

If the state wants unemployment money back and you can’t afford it, the state has payment plans.

In some very specific cases, it may even let you off the hook.

Or you can appeal. Just remember, you only have 30 days from the date the state determines it overpaid you. That’s when the clock starts ticking.