SEATTLE (AP) - Some Washington state residents have been notified by their state Employment Security Department that their unemployment benefits were being changed, suspended or reduced.
In some cases, residents had to refund their payments in full, the Seattle Times reported Monday.
And some residents like Sonja Knudson were told they had to pay back benefits already given to them by the state. Knudson said some of the $8,350 she received in spring had to be given back or the department would take from her paychecks or tax refund.
ESD officials said that for many, the problems are temporary and that they stem from federal regulations that require them to move some benefit holders from a federal relief program to the regular state unemployment program.
Department spokesperson Nick Demerice said that some recipients may earn less per week as a result in the program change.
Demerice said that some others will be able to undo their suspended benefits and avoid repayment by filing a new claim with the state agency.
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