Congrats on your wedding, but we’re going to need our money back.

That was Employment Security’s response to a Washington woman who received unemployment benefits for the week she was in Texas getting married. The woman said she fulfilled her job-search requirement on the way to the church by stopping off at an El Paso movie theater to inquire about a job.

“Unrealistic,” said an Employment Security investigator. After closely examining the woman’s job-search efforts, the department billed her for $1,400 in benefits she shouldn’t have received.

This is just one of thousands of examples of unemployment claimants not conducting a proper job search, a requirement for most jobless workers to be eligible for unemployment benefits.

In 2010, Employment Security identified more than 9,000 individuals who were not actively seeking work. Those individuals have to pay back $23 million in benefits.

“Unemployment benefits are not meant to be a paid vacation,” said Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause. “If you’re not making a legitimate attempt to get back to work, there’s a good chance we’re going to find out and make you return the benefits.”

State law requires most claimants to apply for a minimum of three jobs each week and track where they apply on their job-search logs. Last year, Employment Security reviewed the job-search logs of more than 66,000 individuals. The review includes contacting businesses listed on the logs to verify that the person really applied for work.

Jobless workers can get job-search assistance at WorkSource, which offers a variety of employment and training services for job seekers, including free help with interviewing skills, résumés and job referrals. A 2009 study showed that people who use WorkSource services tend to return to work sooner and make more money than those who don’t.

Locations of local WorkSource offices are listed online at www.go2worksource.com. Assistance also is available by phone at 877-872-5627.