(WBRZ) Many Louisiana residents who have received state unemployment benefits are now getting letters from the Louisiana Workforce Commission claiming they were overpaid and owe the state thousands.

Letters have gone out to many Louisiana residents and those who've received them are being asked to pay back thousands to the state for being overpaid for Unemployment Insurance or Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or both.

Louisiana residents are shocked. Most have used up their benefits for bills after the COVID-19 pandemic caused record layoffs nationwide.

If you receive a letter in the mail claiming you were overpaid, you will be given 15 days to pay back the entire amount or file an appeal.

A response from the Louisiana Workforce Commission has not yet been given.

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