NY A08930

Establishes waiver authority for pandemic unemployment benefits (UPB) overpayments assessed between January 27, 2020 and September 6, 2021, with three categories: blanket waivers, categorical waivers, and individual waivers.

Requires the Department of Labor to proactively identify and approve blanket waivers and apply for federal approval of categorical waivers for educational workers, immigration-related overpayments, language access issues, interstate claims, and "without fault" cases within 30 days of the bill's effective date.

Provides individual waiver eligibility when claimant received UPB "without fault" and repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience, including presumptions of fault-free eligibility for department error, conflicting instructions, language barriers, and use of benefits for ordinary living expenses.

Requires the Department to notify claimants of overpayment amounts, waiver status, 10-year repayment period, and appeal rights; refund collected amounts within 30 days of waiver approval; and report quarterly on overpayment notifications and waiver outcomes by race, gender, ethnicity, and language.

Suspends collection activity until final waiver determination is made and extends repayment period to indefinite duration if claimant shows inability to repay, with minimum $5 monthly payments permitted.