Overwhelmed by unemployment claims, the State Department of Labor has implemented an emergency rule requiring employers to file partial unemployment claims online.
Spokesman Jeff Hentschel says the rule is meant to take pressure off the current system, which can’t handle the number of full claims quickly, let alone the partial claims, which are often filed on paper or by phone.
“…it has been overwhelming for our department, and we are just doing our best to handle the situation as quickly as we can to get people their benefits.”
With the new system, the state will send employers software to create a database that can be updated immediately. Hentschel says it should be beneficial both sides.
“It will streamline their operations, but on our end it becomes very easy to process these claims. One person can handle hundreds of claims very quickly rather than, one by one, logging them into our system.”
The software is targeted at employers who would file more than 50 partial claims in a week. Such claims are for workers who haven’t been laid off, but have been placed on furlough, have extended sick leave or greatly reduced working hours. Employees can receive up to $275 per week in benefits.
Employers have until February 27th to use the system, or face a $50 fine for filing more than 50 partial claims per week.
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