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900,000 California Residents At Risk Of Paying Back Unemployment Benefits

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, approximately 2.9 million people in the state have received financial assistance. More than a quarter-million Californians who received federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds have until the end of the month to show proof of prior employment or face having to repay the state, according to The Center Square.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, approximately 2.9 million people in the state have received financial assistance. More than a quarter-million Californians who received federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds have until the end of the month to show proof of prior employment or face having to repay the state. (Photo: Hartford Finance Inc.)

Employment Development Department

According to The Sun, notifications were sent out to approximately 900,000 PUA claimants in mid-November by the state’s Employment Development Department (EDD). Those who received them learned that to be eligible for unemployment benefits. PUA claimants must provide proof that they had or planned to have a job at some point in the year preceding the start of their claim. Claimants were notified via email and regular mail of their pending claims.

This is required by law. Failure to submit the proper paperwork could result in having to pay back the benefits that you were awarded. At the beginning of the pandemic, PUA benefits were made available to those who were not eligible for traditional unemployment benefits.

A Notice of Determination for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance will be sent to those who are found ineligible for some benefits received after not submitting documentation, which can be appealed. To determine an overpayment of benefits, the EDD will send a Notice of Potential Overpayment, which gives claimants another opportunity for information, as per TIME.

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This is required by law. Failure to submit the proper paperwork could result in having to pay back the benefits that you were awarded. At the beginning of the pandemic, PUA benefits were made available to those who were not eligible for traditional unemployment benefits. (Photo: Depositphotos)

Documentation Proof

Documents proving your income may be requested by the EDD in order to receive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). To avoid a reduction in your weekly benefit, you have 21 days from the date of receipt of the email or paper notice to prove your 2019 income for a 2020 PUA claim or your 2020 income for a 2021 PUA claim, according to EDD.

Depending on the year you filed your claim, one or more of the following income documents may be acceptable. All of these are acceptable forms of documentation according to the site:

  • Federal tax return (IRS Form 1040, Schedule C or F).
  • State tax return (CA Form 540).
  • W-2.
  • Paycheck stubs.
  • Payroll history.
  • Bank receipts.
  • Business records.
  • Contracts.
  • Invoices and corresponding documents.
  • Any other documents to prove your 2019 income.

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