N.M. overpays unemployment benefits

The Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE — State officials say unemployment benefits were accidentally doubled for thousands of unemployed New Mexicans.

Overpayments went out around 6 a.m. Monday, but the state Department of Workforce Solutions became aware of the problem by 9:30 a.m. and worked to reverse the overpaid amounts.

The agency says about 9,000 direct-deposit recipients never saw the error since the money had not yet cleared.

However, about 23,000 unemployment debit card holders received double amounts. The state had withdrawn overpayments to those cards by noon.

Agency officials say anyone who already spent the extra money will have to repay it or have it deducted from future unemployment checks.

Department spokeswoman Carrie Moritomo says the problem was caused by human error, but did not release details.