Jobless Ohioans have been jamming state phone lines today to find out why they haven't received their unemployment benefits as expected.
A computer system failure over the weekend is to blame, said Brian Harter, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which oversees the state's unemployment system.
The glitch occurred when the system was being updated for the issuance of extended jobless benefits. It has been corrected, but deposits that should have been made overnight will be delayed 24 to 48 hours, Harter said.
Correspondence, including eligibility determinations on applications for benefits, also will be delayed.
About 200,000 Ohioans are receiving jobless benefits, with payments distributed daily. Harter said he did not know how many recipients were impacted by the computer problem.
Several callers to The Dispatch complained that they have been unable to get through to the state agency because telephone lines were busy.
One Columbus man said a state operator told him the Department of Job and Family Services was receiving an average of 700 calls a minute.
"When I heard that, I knew we had a big problem," said the man, who asked that his name not be used in fear of retribution.
Harter said he was not surprised the phones were busy but did not know how many calls were received.
"Is the Ohio unemployment fund empty? Is there a technical problem? What's going on?" asked another anxious Columbus man. "I need my money in a hurry."
One caller said his weekly benefit is deposited into his account between midnight and 7 a.m. Tuesday.
"I'm OK today, but my rent is due tomorrow," said the man who lost his job about a year ago and, more recently, his house.
No comments:
Post a Comment