Government overpaid unemployment benefits

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The U.S. Department of Labor and many states are asking for money back from people who get unemployment benefits.

According to the Labor Department, in fiscal year 2011, the government overpaid about 14 billion dollars in benefits.

In Massachusetts, more than 48 million dollars were used in overpaid funds, less than half of that has been recovered.

Some people told 22News, the government should do more to prevent future overpayment problems.

“They need to find some other way to make sure that people who need it are getting it. It should be a little more mandatory that you show you've been to two or three appointments to try to get another job,” said Cindy Poirier of West Springfield.

The majority of overpayments happen because people continue to collect benefits after returning to work or because people over-report their wages.