Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

New York Consolidated Laws, Labor Law - LAB § 594. Reduction and recovery of benefits and penalties for wilful false statement

Current as of January 01, 2021 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

(1) [Eff. until April 8, 2024, or until contingency, pursuant to L.2021, c. 277, § 33. See, also, subd. (1) below.] A claimant who has wilfully made a false statement or representation to obtain any benefit under the provisions of this article shall forfeit benefits for at least the first four but not more than the first eighty effective days following discovery of such offense for which he or she otherwise would have been entitled to receive benefits. Such penalty shall apply only once with respect to each such offense.

(1) [Eff. April 8, 2024, or upon contingency, pursuant to L.2021, c. 277, § 33. See, also, subd. (1) above.] A claimant who has wilfully made a false statement or representation to obtain any benefit under the provisions of this article shall forfeit benefits for at least the first one but not more than the first twenty effective weeks following discovery of such offense for which he or she otherwise would have been entitled to receive benefits. Such penalty shall apply only once with respect to each such offense.

(2) [Eff. until April 8, 2024, or until contingency, pursuant to L.2021, c. 277, § 33. See, also, subd. (2) below.] For the purpose of subdivision four of section five hundred ninety of this article, the claimant shall be deemed to have received benefits for such forfeited effective days.

(2) [Eff. April 8, 2024, or upon contingency, pursuant to L.2021, c. 277, § 33. See, also, subd. (2) above.] For the purpose of subdivision four of section five hundred ninety of this article, the claimant shall be deemed to have received benefits for such forfeited effective weeks.

(3) The penalty provided in this section shall not be confined to a single benefit year but shall no longer apply in whole or in part after the expiration of two years from the date of the final determination. Such two-year period shall be tolled during the time period a claimant has an appeal pending.

(4) A claimant shall refund all moneys received because of such false statement or representation and pay a civil penalty in an amount equal to the greater of one hundred dollars or fifteen percent of the total overpaid benefits determined pursuant to this section. The penalties collected hereunder shall be deposited in the fund. The penalties assessed under this subdivision shall apply and be assessed for any benefits paid under federal unemployment and extended unemployment programs administered by the department in the same manner as provided in this article. The penalties in this section shall be in addition to any penalties imposed under this chapter or any state or federal criminal statute. No penalties or interest assessed pursuant to this section may be deducted or withheld from benefits.

(5)(a) Upon a determination based upon a willful false statement or representation becoming final through exhaustion of appeal rights or failure to exhaust hearing rights, the commissioner may recover the amount found to be due by commencing a civil action, or by filing with the county clerk of the county where the claimant resides the final determination of the commissioner or the final decision by an administrative law judge, the appeal board, or a court containing the amount found to be due including interest and civil penalty. The commissioner may only make such a filing with the county clerk when:

(i) The claimant has responded to requests for information prior to a determination and such requests for information notified the claimant of his or her rights to a fair hearing as well as the potential consequences of an investigation and final determination under this section including the notice required by subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (b) of this subdivision. Additionally if the claimant requested a fair hearing or appeal subsequent to a determination, that the claimant was present either in person or through electronic means at such hearing, or subsequent appeal from which a final determination was rendered;

(ii) The commissioner has made efforts to collect on such final determination; and

(iii) The commissioner has sent a notice, in accordance with paragraph (b) of this subdivision, of intent to docket such final determination by first class or certified mail, return receipt requested, ten days prior to the docketing of such determination.

(b) The notice required in subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (a) of this subdivision shall include the following:

(i) That the commissioner intends to docket a final determination against such claimant as a judgment;

(ii) The total amount to be docketed; and

(iii) Conspicuous language that reads as follows: “Once entered, a judgment is good and can be used against you for twenty years, and your money, including a portion of your paycheck and/or bank account, may be taken. Also, a judgment will hurt your credit score and can affect your ability to rent a home, find a job, or take out a loan.”

(6) Expired and deemed repealed June 25, 2021, pursuant to L.2020, c. 97, § 2 and Executive Order 210.

Back to chapter list
Previous part of code Next part of code
Back to chapter list

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - New York Consolidated Laws, Labor Law - LAB § 594. Reduction and recovery of benefits and penalties for wilful false statement - last updated January 01, 2021 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/labor-law/lab-sect-594/

Read this complete New York Consolidated Laws, Labor Law - LAB § 594. Reduction and recovery of benefits and penalties for wilful false statement on Westlaw

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Search all New York Codes

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About the Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to find an attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

    More Options
    Copied to clipboard