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Woman wins unemployment hearings, long awaits refund

Posted at 10:35 PM, Mar 08, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-12 16:52:57-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Sara Eager is one of thousands of people victimized across the state by the Unemployment Insurance Agency's failed computer system. As a result of a fraud accusation, Eager said the state took $1,975 from her for restitution.

She was fortunate and won two unemployment hearings. The problem is the UIA never refunded what they took, despite the court ruling in her favor.

Eager said the state isn't following the judge's orders.

"Boom. They're there to take your money away. But how about refunding it?" she said.

As her documents show, one unemployment hearing took place in November 2015 and another in September 2016. The Grand Rapids woman said she lost her job in 2015 and applied for unemployment. However, she was blindsided when the state accused her of filing fraudulently and started taking money out of her benefits.

The judge's ruling calls for the UIA to refund what it took.

"And they just have not refunded my money," Eager said.

She added, "I think it's not fair. It's rough, especially if you've got bills to pay, rent. What are you going to do? You get evicted. I mean, that's rough. It's hard."

The FOX 17 Problem Solvers sent Eager's information to the UIA for review. Eager said the agency finally reached her back but claimed she still owed restitution. The Problem Solvers will reach out to the UIA again on her behalf, and we will let you know what happens.

If you have a problem reach out to problemsolvers@fox17online.com