An unemployment audit is a real process. I agree, it is unfair and their timeline is ridiculous.
That said, it is the beginning to their process and you can be proactive.
Unemployment Audit: First Question
When I receive a phone call about an unemployment audit, I get the same question over and over:
Do I really need to respond by this date?
My answer: take their deadline seriously. Otherwise, they will make a decision without your input.
Unemployment Audit: Second Question
Here is the second question I generally get:
Why are they auditing me?
My answer: Together, we can figure it out by reviewing their questions.
Unemployment Audit: Consider This…
I dislike the unemployment audit process in Minnesota because I think they are unfair. I believe they are unfair because they ask people to think back months or even years. If decided against a person, they turn into an overpayment.
Rarely are auditors your friend. And, logging into an unemployment account months or years after a person has been working seems crazy.
The faster a person moves past the unfairness and confusion, the faster a person who had received benefits can address the process head-on.
Unemployment Audit: Their Questions
Yes, I believe a person can accomplish a lot by pinpointing the the legal issue that is really the heart of the audit.
Sometimes, people are able to distinguish their eligibility for unemployment versus an employer wrongdoing. Other times, people cannot.
Before answering their questions, try to reflect on the following:
- How far back did you request benefits?
- Did your benefits start and stop and start again?
- Has anybody ever called you an independent contractor?
- Did you receive wages from an unidentified source?
- Did you ever receive a lump sum cash payment at the conclusion of your job ending?
- Are you able to map your job search process?
- Has the unemployment office suggested you were being accused of fraud?
- Does my health impact my claim?
If any of these questions inspire a story or discussion, then I encourage using appropriate strategies to avoid an overpayment.
Which strategy is right for you? Unfortunately, it depends on the issue and history of your claim.
