Politics & Government

WI Overpaid $333 Million In COVID-Era Unemployment Benefits: Feds

Despite the eye-popping number, Wisconsin's overpayment rate was lower than many other states, according to federal estimates.

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Wisconsin overpaid $333​ million in unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new estimate from the federal government.
Wisconsin overpaid $333​ million in unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new estimate from the federal government. (Shutterstock)

MADISON, WI — Wisconsin overpaid $333 million in unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new estimate from the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Labor approximates that from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2023, 9.91 percent of payments in Wisconsin were paid at the incorrect rate.

That adds up to $333,665,424

Find out what's happening in Milwaukeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But despite the eye-popping number, Wisconsin's overpayment rate was lower than many other states, according to federal estimates.

Many states had an overpayment rate of over 20 percent, some as high as 45 percent.

Find out what's happening in Milwaukeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In Wisconsin, the primary reason blamed for the overpayments was applicants or employers incorrectly listing the amount for a person's "previous earnings," according to officials:

U.S. Department of Labor
U.S. Department of Labor

Read more on Wisconsin's overpayments here.

Find each state's estimated overpayment rate below. The list includes Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.:

  1. Virginia: 45.14%
  2. Florida: 41.91%
  3. Tennessee: 40.85%
  4. Rhode Island: 37.61%
  5. Kansas: 29.61%
  6. Nevada: 26.98%
  7. Louisiana: 26.70%
  8. Colorado: 26.51%
  9. Massachusetts: 26.26%
  10. New York: 22.81%
  11. South Carolina: 22.13%
  12. Alabama: 21.87%
  13. Arizona: 20.49%
  14. California: 20.10%
  15. Illinois: 19.85%
  16. Nebraska: 19.81%
  17. Connecticut: 19.20%
  18. North Carolina: 19.20%
  19. Delaware: 19.10%
  20. Pennsylvania: 18.73%
  21. Wisconsin: 18.72%
  22. New Jersey: 18.56%
  23. New Hampshire: 18.21%
  24. Michigan: 17.79%
  25. Arkansas: 17.66%
  26. Mississippi: 16.90%
  27. Maryland: 15.07%
  28. Oklahoma: 14.46%
  29. District of Columbia: 14.28%
  30. Georgia: 13.47%
  31. Oregon: 13.83%
  32. Texas: 12.59%
  33. Puerto Rico: 12.77%
  34. Indiana: 12.72%
  35. Ohio: 12.34%
  36. Wyoming: 12.28%
  37. Iowa: 12.41%
  38. West Virginia: 12.14%
  39. Vermont: 12.01%
  40. Maine: 11.86%
  41. Kentucky: 11.23%
  42. Alaska: 11.02%
  43. Washington: 11.09%
  44. New Mexico: 10.80%
  45. Minnesota: 9.91%
  46. South Dakota: 9.98%
  47. Montana: 9.40%
  48. Missouri: 8.91%
  49. North Dakota: 8.27%
  50. Idaho: 7.78%
  51. Hawaii: 5.98%
  52. Utah: 5.95%

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