Duplicate benefits accidentally sent to some unemployment recipients

    Officials with the Maine Department of Labor announced Jan 7. that roughly 7,100 unemployed workers received a duplicate benefit payment as a result of a processing issue that affected direct deposits.       The problem was discovered after direct deposits were made to accounts on Jan. 5 and Labor Department officials stressed that the issue was limited only to deposits made on that date. 
     According to officials the department was working with the Maine Office of Information Technology – the agency that processes those financial transactions – and TD Bank to reverse the duplicate payments within 24 hours.
    Those who received an extra direct deposit of unemployment benefits do not need to take any action to return the overpayment to the department. The reversal of the extra payment will occur automatically.
    The department was notifying by mail each individual impacted by the problem and the Office of Information Technology had put in place manual procedures as safeguards while they continue to investigate the problem.
    Updates will be provided as they become available on the Maine Department of Labor Web site at www.fileforui.com.