Tens of thousands of Arizonans have learned that they have to pay back their unemployment to DES, due to no fault of their own. It is noted in fine prints that "interest does not apply to federal unemployment overpayments." However, on Aug. 30, officials with DES say they charge 10% interest on regular state unemployment overpayments, citing state law. Of the total, approximately 21,000 overpayments to 10,000 unique claimants representing $11.5 million were reported as non-fraud, and approximately 31,000 overpayments to 17,000 unique claimants representing $110.5 million were reported as fraud. Throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, DES issued overpayment notices for the regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) programs following the normal process.