I applied for UIF and now they are saying I received an overpayment. What should I do?

The long answer

If the Unemployment Insurance Fund says that you have been overpaid, it means that they paid you more than you should have received. 

The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) says that this can be because they calculated incorrectly - e.g. paying you twice by mistake or processing an extra month by mistake. It could also happen because you earned money from a job while you were still getting UIF payments. And it could also happen because your employer gave them incorrect information about how much you were earning.

The DEL says that when UIF does a financial check or when they compare your file with what your employer says in their declarations, they may find an error. When they find an error, they will flag your profile. This can mean that they stop paying you until they can account for the extra money they paid. It can also mean that you or your employer could be asked to pay the extra money back to UIF, or they could pay less in future payments until the balance is paid. 

To find out more about the overpayment and any penalties, you should contact UIF directly. You can go to your nearest Department of Labour office with your ID and details of your employment. 

You can also phone the UIF Call centre at 0800 030 007. Again, you will need to have your ID number and employment information ready.

Wishing you the best,
Athalie