§1713. Waiver of recovery and recovery of benefits improperly received by beneficiary

A. If the administrator finds that an individual has received any payment under this Chapter to which the individual was not entitled, such individual shall be liable to repay such amount to the administrator for the unemployment compensation fund, upon demand and in accordance with agency regulations, a sum equal to the amount so received by the recipient, in addition to any penalties assessed, as provided in R.S. 23:1714 and in accordance with R.S. 23:1740 through 1749. If the claimant disagrees with such determination or assessment of overpayment, he shall have the same right to file an appeal as on any other determination, as provided in R.S. 23:1629 et seq., for administrative and judicial remedies.

B. The issue of waiver of the right of recovery of any overpayment of benefits shall be heard upon any appeal of such determination or assessment of overpayment. The appeal referee, board of review, or any court of jurisdiction, may waive the right of recovery of any overpaid benefits received by any person who has received such benefits under this Chapter while any conditions for the receipt thereof were not fulfilled in his case, or while he was disqualified from receiving such benefits, when all of the following pertain:

(1) The receipt of said benefits did not come within the fraud provisions of R.S. 23:1601(8).

(2) The overpayment was without fault of the claimant. In determining whether the claimant was at fault, whether the claimant provided inaccurate information, failed to disclose a material fact, or knew or should have known that he was not entitled to benefits shall be considered, and any such act by the claimant shall preclude the granting of a waiver.

(3) The recovery thereof would be against equity and good conscience. In determining whether the recovery of the overpayment would be against equity and good conscience, whether recovery would render the claimant unable to cover ordinary living expenses for six months, and whether the claimant was notified that a reversal on appeal would result in an overpayment of benefits shall be considered.

C.(1) Any amount of benefits for which a person is determined to have been overpaid and the overpayment is not waived shall, in the discretion of the administrator, be either deducted from any benefits payable to the claimant under this Chapter or he shall repay the administrator for the unemployment compensation fund a sum equal to the amount so received by him, and such sum shall be collectible in the manner provided for the collection of past due collections.

(2) A claim for repayment of benefits which did not come within the fraud provisions of R.S. 23:1601(8) shall prescribe against the state five years from the date of the expiration of the benefit year of the claim on which the overpayment occurred. This prescription shall be interrupted for the period of time during which an appeal is pending, by the filing of suit for collection by the administrator, by an acknowledgment or partial payment of the indebtedness, or as provided by R.S. 23:1741 and 1742.

(3) When an overpayment has been assessed in the amount of one hundred dollars or more, upon default, the administrator or his duly authorized representatives may make in any manner feasible, and cause to be recorded in the mortgage records of any parish in which such claimant owns immovable property, a statement under oath showing the amount of the overpayment in default; which statement, when filed for record, shall operate as a lien, privilege, and mortgage on the immovable property of the claimant from the date of such filing.

D. Repealed by Acts 2012, No. 344, §2.

E. REPEALED BY ACTS 1993, NO. 620, §2, EFF. JUNE 15, 1993.

Amended by Acts 1950, No. 498, §14; Acts 1958, No. 531, §1; Acts 1960, No. 300, §1; Acts 1988, No. 250, §1; Acts 1989, No. 442, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1993, No. 620, §§1 and 2, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 2001, No. 1165, §2; Acts 2012, No. 344, §§1 and 2.