Projo Biz Blog

Rhode Island's high unemployment rate is resulting in delays in processing claims for unemployment benefits, the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training said today.

The delays mainly affect people who file, online, their initial claims for unemployment benefits. Once a person receives a confirmation number through the online process, it normally may take 10 to 14 days for the agency to process the required paperwork. Lately, however, it has been taking about 3 weeks, said agency spokeswoman Laura Hart.

In response, the agency has temporarily reassigned some of its staff to handle online claims, and is also in the process of hiring more staff, Hart said. The agency has also posted a notice about the issue on its Web site.

Earlier today, state Sen. John J. Tassoni (D-Smithfield) said the agency should be beefed up to handle its heavy claim load. As things stand, "unemployed Rhode Islanders are being forced to wait longer and longer to receive unemployment benefits they were paying for while they were working," Tassoni said.

Comments

bill said:

give me a job i would love to come in and help process claims

Link | November 17, 2008 6:54 PM
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J Hetherington said:

I am wondering why full unemployment benefits are being paid to people who are working part time. This particular person has received two extensions already!

Link | November 17, 2008 9:35 PM
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