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MicV215 · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:44 am Post subject: Please Help! Very Confusing!

Ok, i worked for a retailer for 5 years and in May of 2008 they let us know they were laying off 2500 managers. I was offered a job still but for a new position and new pay. I decided i would take the severance package and collect unemployment. At the same time i was working part time for a media group where i was hired as an independent contractor making 1000 bucks a month. I started that in April of 2008. I applied for unemployment and let them know i was making the money i was making from the media group. I was approved for unemployment and was receiving about 451 dollars a week. Every week i would submit what i made from the media group and i continued to receive my benefits. After my benefits ended on July 4 2009 i called up and they let me know i could still get 13 more week of emergency benefits or i could refile to open a new claim since i was only working part time still. So i reapplied for a new claim on july 5 2009. It took over 3 months to get a decision. They wanted to know if i was an independent contractor, so i had to send my bank account information, business card, fill out a 7 page document as well as my "boss" had to send the same info. I got info back that my new claim was denied b/c i didnt meet the requirements (no big deal in my mind) I also received a letter in the mail saying that i "wasnt considered self employed" because my "boss" still dictated to me what work to do and that i was eligible for benefits starting jan 1 2009.

So it took a few weeks but finally 3 days ago i received my 13 weeks of EUC (i believe its callled that) from my original first claim. So in my mind is i finally got all my money and thats that, i have to find a full time job quick or im in deep trouble. So i get a letter in the mail today stating that they overpaid me 17,787 dollars and that it had to be paid back because i was not eligible to receive benefits because i was self employed (jan 1 2009- oct10 2009).

I filled out the waiver paper right away and i am going to fill out the appeal paperwork tomorrow. But my question is why all of a sudden are they demanding this money back when they knew i was claming money every week? It states because i was self employed but in the other letter says its determined I am not self employed b/c my boss dictates work to me still so im not free from it. I was honest n submitted every week of my earning to receive my partial benefits and now all of a sudden they want me to pay back close to 18k?? I filled out the waiver letting them know that if i would of known any of this i wouldnt of filed. I spoke to many reps and they knew my situation and they never mentioned it to me before. I can barely pay my bills with the lil money i am making ( i didnt mention i pay 1,850.00 in estimated taxes every 3 months as well) and the money from unemployment, where do they think i can pay back 18k? Please help with any advice, im very confused and dont see how this is my fault when the whole time they knew what i was making each week, it seems like since they thinkg i was self employed now they dont want to pay me the money i was due. Please Help!

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