Ohio Unemployment Call Center Fielding 300,000 Calls Per Week
Ohio Unemployment Call Center Fielding 300,000 Calls Per Week
Unemployment Issues
Out-of-work Central Ohioans are frustrated with the local unemployment office -- saying the phones are so busy, they've been unable to get any help.Published: December 16, 2009
Updated: December 16, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Out-of-work Central Ohioans are frustrated with the local unemployment office—saying the phones are so busy, they’ve been unable to get any help.
The Ohio Job and Family Services call center on E. 5th Avenue received 93,000 calls Tuesday, averaging 75,000 daily.
There are seven call centers statewide, with 250 agents taking calls from jobless Ohioans inquiring and/or filing for unemployment.
10.2 percent of Ohioans are still unemployed and NBC 4 received numerous complaints from people who are having difficulty getting through to an agent or logging on to the state’s system.
During a visit to the call center on Wednesday, the hold time was 162 minutes.
“Generally our call volume is higher early in the week, Wednesday through Friday, there’s a better chance to get through,“ said Julie Smith of ODJFS.
Smith said ODJFS is looking to hire 130 additional agents to help cope with the large influx of calls.
If you’re having difficulty getting through to file or ask about unemployment, officials encourage callers not to give up. Once the call rings through, Smith said callers should inform the agent of any issues and they will look into it.
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