Illinois Unemployment: PUA overpayments may be forgiven; IDES to issue waivers WLS Share: Share: CHICAGO (WLS) -- The ABC 7 I-Team investigated overpayments of unemployment benefits involving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). People who are unemployed are being told to come up with amounts ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 - sometimes, more than $20,000. PUA was added to regular state unemployment to get money into the hands of contract and gig workers. But what if you are being told you were "overpaid?" There's good news: you may be forgiven. "I'm going to be on the street, probably, March 1 if this is not taken care of," says Michael Sabo who drove business travelers to and from the airport in his Lincoln Town Car prior to the pandemic. Now he's out of work and on PUA through the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).