Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Overpayments & Refunds
If you receive any unemployment benefits to which you are not entitled, you will be required to repay those benefits, otherwise known as “overpayments.” A determination notice will be sent to you explaining the reason for your overpayment. Also, a notice will be sent to you stating the amount you were overpaid.
If you receive an overpayment notice, there are a few options:
- Make a payment(s). Go to myoverpayment.nj.gov to pay using your bank account. Credit cards are also accepted (some fees may apply). You can also contact the Division of Fraud Prevention and Risk Management at 609-376-5945 to set up a payment plan or mail a check to: Division of Fraud Prevention and Risk Management, PO Box 951, Trenton NJ 08625-0951.
- Appeal your determination. Follow the instructions on the bottom of the notice of overpayment (Form B189 - instructions are also here). Appeals are time sensitive.
- Request to waive overpayment. Review the section below for information about wavier requests. Waiver requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
NJ may waive overpayments if the overpayment was due to no fault of your own. That means you did not misrepresent or withhold any facts in order to obtain benefits.
To request a waiver:
- Log in to check your claim status. Scroll down and click the waiver application button, then enter your email address and submit the request.
- You should receive an email questionnaire within 24 hours of your request.
- After you complete and submit the questionnaire, your waiver application will be reviewed.
You will receive a determination by email. If you don't agree with the determination, you can appeal using the instructions in that email.
When you receive your overpayment determination, it will tell you how your overpayment has been classified.
There are two types of overpayment classifications: fraud and non-fraud.
- Fraud: Fraudulent overpayments are subject to fines and interest. If your overpayment is currently classified as fraud, it cannot be reclassified as an agency error.
This type of overpayment is subject to collections by any means necessary (including interception of tax refunds and offsetting future unemployment benefits).
Example: You returned to work but continued to certify for benefits and did not report your wages. - Non-fraud: Non-fraudulent overpayments are subject to interest if a Certificate of Debt has been filed.
This type of overpayment is subject to collections by any means necessary (including interception of tax refunds and offsetting future unemployment benefits).
Example: You accidentally certified for benefits for an incorrect week.