LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has heard arguments in a case potentially affecting thousands of people who were wrongly accused of defrauding the unemployment program.

The issue for the court: When did the clock start ticking for people to sue?

An automated computer system run by Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration was a disaster. People were accused of cheating to get unemployment aid. They were forced to repay money before the state finally acknowledged errors.

This case isn’t about getting money returned. Rather, plaintiffs are suing over their hardship and lack of due process when they were wrongly declared to be fraudsters.

The state argues that the six-month clock began with the first notice from the unemployment agency. But attorney Jennifer Lord says the key event occurred later when her clients actually lost money.