Welcome to the Saunders v UIA Improper Collections Class Action Home Page

If You Were Subject to to Improper Collection based on Agency Collection Activity on any Unemployment Insurance claim filed from March 1, 2020 to April 25, 2024, You Could be Eligible for a Payment from a Class Action Settlement

• You may be eligible to receive a payment from a proposed $55,000,000 non-reversionary class action settlement (the “Qualified Settlement Fund”).
• The class action lawsuit concerns Improper Collections based on Agency Collection Activity on any Unemployment Insurance claim filed from March 1, 2020 to April 25, Improper Collection means: money collected from a Class Member by any method: (a) while a timely protest or appeal, or a late protest or appeal with good cause, was pending, (b) after a claimant attempted to protest or appeal and was unable to access services, or (c) after a claimant submitted a protest or appeal that was not timely processed, never processed, or later deleted.
• UIA denies any wrongdoing and denies that it has any liability but has agreed to settle the lawsuit on a classwide basis.
• Eligible claimants under the Settlement Agreement will be eligible to receive one and/or two of the following Settlement benefits:
  • Reimbursement of Amounts Collected by Agency: All Settlement Class Members who certify eligibility may recover pro rata from the Net Common Fund based on their Common Fund award points. One Common Fund award point shall be awarded for each dollar collected by the Agency and not yet refunded.
  • Enhanced Award: All Settlement Class Members may be allowed to certify to one or more enhanced award factors that justify greater share of the Net Common Fund. Settlement Class Members electing to certify for an enhanced award will be required to submit at least one form of agreed upon documentation in order to qualify for an enhanced settlement award.
• On this site, you can find more information and submit a claim. If you still have questions, you can call 1-866-499-4565 Monday through Saturday, between 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. E.T. or email at info@bwclassactions.com.
• Please read the notice carefully. Your legal rights will be affected, and you have a choice to make at this time.

CURRENT STATUS

On May 13, 2025, the Court issued a Final Order Approving Class Action Settlement in the matter Kellie Saunders, et al. v State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, et al. The Order approved the establishment of a gross common fund of $55,000,000, together with interest earned to date, for the purposes of paying claim settlement awards, costs, and attorney fees. The Order also establishes a Reserve Fund that will be set aside to pay late claims and a Relief Fund to be administered by the State Bar Foundation according to the terms of the Settlement Agreement.

Payments to Class Members who filed a valid claim on or before December 20, 2024, are expected to be made in July 2025.

Potential payments to Class Members who file a valid claim after December 20, 2024, will be determined in approximately 18 months (fall of 2026).