July 21, 2021

Nacha Launches New Unemployment Benefits Return Opt-In Program for Recovery of Partial and Full Amounts

Nacha has created an Opt-In Program to better facilitate the return and recovery of potentially fraudulent unemployment benefits originally paid by ACH credits. The program is designed to help improve the recovery of funds that may have been disbursed to inappropriate parties.

The Opt-In Program is beginning with two participating Originating Depository Financial Institutions (ODFIs), participating on behalf of eight states: Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Utah and Wisconsin.

Receiving Depository Financial Institutions (RDFIs) do not need to opt in to return funds to the participating states.

  • An  RDFI can return a partial or full amount to a state unemployment agency via a "Program Return."
  • Program Returns are treated as an ODFI Request for Return under the Nacha Rules, in which the ODFI indemnifies the RDFI for the return of funds.
  • A Program Return may be sent via a new, forward CCD Credit Entry, using a data format specified by the opt-in rules. Such a CCD credit can be for the full amount or for a partial amount of the original ACH credit.
  • An  RDFI may also send the full amount of the original ACH credit via an R06 return if the participating ODFI has indicated acceptance.
  • Program Returns, in accordance with program rules, may be sent for two years after the settlement date of the original ACH credit.

For additional information and program documents, visit the Unemployment Benefits Return Opt-In Program webpage. For questions, or for additional ODFIs that want to participate in the program, contact Nacha-Network-Rules@Nacha.org.