Alternative Ways to Contact your State Unemployment Office For Answers to Your Weekly Benefit Claim and Payment Questions

It’s no secret that it’s been a constant challenge to try and get in touch with someone at your state unemployment office for issues with your unemployment claims (e.g. why is it stuck or on-hold) and/or benefit processing questions.

This was exacerbated with extensions to the pandemic unemployment programs that had left states scrambling to update their antiquated IT systems and created mass confusion for jobless people who are stuck in unemployment benefits limbo (video).

What’s worse is that even if you do get through to a live agent/representative to get clarity on why certain benefits have stopped or are not being paid, you may end up getting vague or incorrect answers. This has create a lot of anger and left people desolate as they are in desperate need of their UI benefits to make ends meet.

What is also happening is that many of the state unemployment representatives are new and are themselves dealing with the antiquated systems many state unemployment departments have, so if you feel like you are getting the run around ask to speak to a manager or someone who has access to do something with your claim. Don’t let them transfer you or give you the run around.

A good tip I heard was to get their name and ID number (if applicable) so you can use their name when talking to them (builds a bond and makes them more likely to help) or on the other end you can use their name if escalating an issue or want to file a complaint.

Many readers have commented that it took them several hours and hundreds of attempts to try and speak to someone around their unemployment questions. And even if one does get through to a live representative they don’t always get an answer from the call center person they speak to, who often is not even aware of the new provisions in place and really just there to triage calls. It’s been very frustrating and creating a lot of financial hardship as you can see from some of the comments below.

Moe, from Florida commented, “who do I contact for missing FPUC payments? Every rep you speak with gives you a different answer. So far last week I had one that gives the normal “there’s nothing we can do” response. Then there was one rep who was going to give me a phone number but it sounded like the 833-FLapply #, and we started to argue on that and she claimed it was a different #, but the call got disconnected. And then there was one who told me they have a system they can see the dates the FPUC payments were made, but it’s a separate screen only they can see. I’m not sure why this has to be such a mystery. I mean they have to have some way of knowing how much and what dates they payments they are issuing are for. Why is this so difficult? Everything with my account is for the most part fine now, except I never got the retro payments. People many people that filed after me have made claims that all their payments are caught up. It doesn’t make sense.

Kristen who is in a tough spot commented, “I’m a substitute teacher in Texas and my benefits just ran out i only got paid for one week this week due to regular benefits since I’m part time covid emergency benefits only qualified it says they will contact us on whether are benefits are extended per case in Texas but I’ve gotten nothing by mail call or email and i cannot get anyone on the phone anywhere to ask if im gonna get the extended benefits or not and when ill know or any correspondence regarding it since i should being that i cannot go back to work yet and did and since school isn’t back in yet i’m not sure if qualify for the summer months or not this is my first year doing it and i don’t know what i’m supposed to do just that i’ve got kids bills to pay and don’t know now since i wasn’t expecting to be totally dropped and hoping to receive notice by now that i might auto extend on the benefits like it says we will online for the extra benefits amounts after exhausted this last week i’m not being paid for i just don’t know how i’m gonna live now can anyone in the same situation help?

If Calling Does Not Work Try These Alternative Contact Options to Get Information on Your Unemployment Claim

State unemployment offices are already overburdened and short on staff trying to manage the surge in claims. On top of this they’re using old and antiquated systems that have struggled to handle all the processing/certification that needs to take place for the enhanced unemployment provisions enacted this year. But from what I’m seeing via readers on this site and other forums is that there are a few other ways (and often more effective) that you can use to get in touch with your state UI agency other than via phone. Below are some alternate options you can use if you are finding calling and staying on hold for several hours is not working for you.

Niocolo shared her frustrations with trying to get in touch with someone, “Can someone tell me how they are getting through the phone system to actually speak with an agent? I have tried repeatedly over a 4 week period all three phone numbers provided and have only gotten through, put on hold, and after 30 minutes or so of waiting on hold, got to speak with an agent. Result of discussion was that I had to wait for an email. That was two weeks ago. Anyway, my question is simply this, “What are you doing to get through the phone system?” Does the time of day or day of week matter in terms of your success? Thanks in advance. Good luck to everyone trying to navigate through this process.”

Social Media – Facebook &Twitter

Most state UI agencies are actually pretty active on social media in posting updates to share the latest information on unemployment payments and/or delays. You can see relevant social media handles on some of the individual state unemployment pages I have set up for specific contact information (see via the menu above) but most large unemployment agencies have Facebook, Reddit and Twitter accounts. I follow a number on Twitter and Facebook, so you can follow me to get curated updates. From the state UI agency social media pages you can even try sending direct/private messages to get answers to your questions and also see the hundreds of comments from people likely in a similar boat to you. Just don’t share any confidential or personal information.

Social Media pages for state unemployment agencies

Email

Surprisingly a lot of readers have said emailing your state unemployment department or agency has worked more effectively than trying to get a live agent. In fact under federal guidelines for these programs, states must provide claimants with alternate modes of contact, which may include email, and communicate with the claimant
based on his or her preferred method of contact. If the state contacts the claimant via email and the email is returned, the state must attempt to contact the claimant by U.S. mail.

While the response time may not be amazing it is actually a good way to get some specific feedback on your case and delays in payments. Again you should go the actual state unemployment page and look under the contact us section to get the official email (which should be ending with a .gov). I’ll repeat it again, but don’t share your SSN or other private information over email or to callers whose identity is not verified, unless you have to.

Your Local, State or District representative

In cases where you cannot get through to someone or are just a completely frustrated with the answers you’ve been getting you should try contacting your local, state or district representative. Look online for your relevant representative and their contact details. They can often get you the answer or at least get you a better contact for someone at the state UI agency with whom you can speak too. You will have to show that you have tried to contact the state UI agency yourself, that your claim is valid and you meet all the eligibility criteria but this option has also been proven to work in some states where it has been nearly impossible to get through to someone at the state unemployment office.

Angelina from NJ commented, “My sister-in-law suggested that I call my local councilman’s office because they are assisting people who need to get through to unemployment. I called and they took down my information and had somebody call me from my local Senator’s office and the man said that they have an unemployment liaison at each Senator’s office that helps people resolve their unemployment issues so people who are having an extremely difficult time getting through they will hand your case over to their liaison and the liasion will contact Unemployment on your behalf and resolve your issue. My sister-in-law’s husband had been trying to get through for nearly eight weeks and he contacted his local councilman’s office and they told him within 15 days he should have a resolution and two weeks later he got all his money. I called the day before yesterday and I was told that the process could take 15 days to be patient but they are working on it and the man that I spoke to asked that I pass on this information to anyone struggling to get through to unemployment, he urges you all to contact your local Senator’s office or councilman’s office for assistance. Good luck to all I hope this helps & I will keep you all posted I am owed 8 weeks in back payments.

One thing you should definitely avoid is trying to use a third-party or online agency who will want to charge you to follow up on your claim. This is likely just going be a scam or waste of money, and will cost you probably more than you would get from unemployment.

If you have found any effective ways of getting in touch with someone in your state, please leave a comment (and your state) below.

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46 thoughts on “Alternative Ways to Contact your State Unemployment Office For Answers to Your Weekly Benefit Claim and Payment Questions”

  1. My name is Karen and I live in New York State I filed for unemployment on July 7th and have not received any payment yet and don’t know what to do

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  2. I live in Az I filed on June 18 2020 I recieved letter telling me I was eligible never received a dime. The n denied in April 2021. Filed appeal same day. Got my hearing oct 12 2021. Won. No money yet

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  3. I have given up on trying to continue getting unemployment. They have kicked me off, for no good reason. And when you talk to the reps, they are always feisty, and lie through their teeth. Don’t waste your time with them! They don’t want to help people out, even though their is a pandemic. Their on their high horses, cuz they have been blessed with jobs.

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  4. I live in CA. I have been trying to get verified since Oct 2020. I have contacted ID.Me with no success. I have contacted EDD with NO reply. I have called & emailed both with no results or replies. I have used my laptop, my tablet & my cell phone. Nothing. Does anyone know how to get verified or who to contact ?

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  5. If there was someone hiring painters in my area I would just go get another job, It’s a hell of a lot easier than dealing with FUCKTARDS that “work” for the NYSDOL if you call sitting on your ass behind a desk looking up any ones social security number you choose, actually “working” and most of these people are working from home so are they actually “working” and doing there job? or just collecting a paycheck and living life while the rest of us are going into debt? no pun intended for all the receptionists or anyone else out there but for fuck sake something must be done. I have been unemployed since January 15th 2021 have yet to receive anything from Unemployment I have called 100’s of times still getting the same answers….not a single thing has been done to my account. I was told last week March 4th 2021 that my payments were released and that I would receive them by no later than Monday March 8th 2021 here it is Tuesday March 9th 2021 nothing in fact when I logged on this morning it said that I have not claimed benefits since January 17th 2021, I know I have been logging in at least once a week to claim and at least 2 times during the course of the week to send them a message and each time it still says it is calculating what I will be getting, I collected unemployment last year and they sent my a key bank card, ok whatever so I filed this year for unemployment got my first payment of $350 hahaha I know what a joke. But still have not gotten anything extra that I know I am approved for as far as the pandemic goes but still got nothing, no contact since last week and I have called 71 times today…

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    • Finally made contact with “Malashya” who gladly “fixed” my unemployment, however she deleted the past 8 weeks and every week I have claimed since January 15th 2021-March 9th 2021 has been paid out as $0.00..I find the fastest way to get in contact with someone is between 1pm and 4pm est. just keep hitting redial…I am going to have to do it again today seeing how my account is all sorts of fucked right now no thanks to this lady who says she was in the middle of something when I called last week and talked to the same person, she said she “forgot” unblock my account and now I don’t get any of what is owed to me by the looks of things.

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  6. This is what I’ve emailed the NCDES but nothing yet for 7 weeks and idk what to do!
    There has been a lot of problems going on with my account. I was on PUA in December and my claim got exhausted then reapplied and it’s now Feb 2021! Every single agent I have spoken to has either hung up on me or I never get a call back. Here is some of what has been going on. I haven’t been paid from you guys in over a month and this is the only income I have and I can not go any longer without being paid! I need to know if I will be getting paid this week on my PUA claim because I can’t wait any longer. Like I said before to you guys I have no food in my house and my car payment is over a month past due and I’m about to lose my car because I keep getting the runaround. I understand we’re in a pandemic but I have been filing since December 26th and my fiancé did hers and she got hers fixed in two days. There is no reason I should have to live without having any money from you. I’ve been told stuff has been wrong with my account just to talk to someone else and have nothing wrong with it. I’ve had people send escalation forms just for the next person to tell me they sent it to the wrong department or that the person didn’t even send it. I’ve been told there is no number for me to call just to have someone give me a different number that I’ve tried to call and can’t get anyone there either. Every. Single. Person. Everyday, that I have talked to has told me something completely DIFFERENT. I have a screenshot of an agent (Dorell T -Agent ESCT712) telling me I would get paid this past week( January 25-26) so I called my car payment loan company to let them know, that I just to have to wait 48 hours to be paid. Then after 48 hours was up, I ended up talking to him again just for him to proceed to tell me to wait 48 more hours and now it’s been another week (January 31st) and nothing has been paid.
    January 28th- I spoke to a supervisor named Charles( Agent ESCT-636)- and he said there was nothing wrong with my account. I have a list and dates of a bunch of agents I have spoken to and what has been said.I have got approved for my PUA. All I want is just to get paid what I am owed please, so I can live, have food, and have a place over my head. I don’t think that is being unreasonable. I think everyone would want that.
    February 4th- I called again and spoke to a agent named Latrina and she told me I wasn’t allowed to talk to the VIP department about any of this and then I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told I’m not allowed. This shouldn’t be this hard to deal with. I have screenshots of what people have told me so we can get this fixed as soon as possible because I’m tired of getting the runaround. I was already on unemployment for the par six months and I’ve already received another approval letter from you guys.
    February 8th- spoke to an agent named Kirk (Agent ESCT- 5065) and he said there was nothing wrong with my account, that they’ve seen a lot of these problems and they didn’t know what to do or how to fix it. Whenever people don’t know what is wrong, they try to find a problem wrong with my account and mess up my account even further. Then he put me thru to the alleged supervisor of the entire NCDES named Tanika (Agent ESCT- 3422) and she said that I couldn’t speak to anybody else because she was the highest person that was there. She told me that she didn’t have a supervisor.

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    • Hi, name is Edward. Back in November my checks stopped. I called, was told my case was in escalation. Wait 6 to 8 weeks. If I don’t hear anything, call back. I waited. Called 77x’s! Finally got thru. Was on hold for 44 mins. Then listened to the woman type for over 20 mins. Only to be told call back in 6 to 8 weeks!! Haven’t paided rent, eatting spaghetti every 2 days! Credit cards are maxed and late payments are starting. I had good credit. Now… well thanks unemployment!! At a real loss bro. I’m scared! What do they expect people to do for months on end with no income?? Help in any way would be greatly appreciated.

      Reply
  7. I filed for PUA in DC in November. After countless hours on hold, conversations with multiple reps, and a long line of administrative errors on their part (including the system somehow changing my address to an address that does not even exist in DC!), an agent I spoke with on the phone last week told me verbally that I was approved for PUA and for back pay. I said I would love to get that in writing for peace of mind, and she said she will escalate the case to request that a letter be sent to me ASAP. It’s not the first time someone has said “hmm, this is strange, why isn’t your case moving, let me escalate it.” Some good that has done for me! Well I didn’t get a letter, so after multiple emails to the PUA email account requesting approval in writing, they told me today I was denied. Even though someone looking at my case with her own eyes told me on the phone that I was approved. I know I’m eligible, I expect the issue is that my employer hasn’t submitted the documents needed to reject my regular UI claim and allow my PUA claim for lost self-employment income to proceed. I explained to them on the phone a few weeks ago that my employer’s office is closed due to COVID, we are all working from home, so the mail only gets checked once every 1-2 months and the form is probably sitting in the office. They said that’s OK, no problem, it’s common in COVID, they can still process my claim while they wait for that documentation from my employer to arrive. So, this is an administrative error. But I don’t want to go through an appeal for an administrative error! I am at the end of my rope and lack the emotional and mental fortitude to keep sitting on hold for half the day.

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  8. I went to file my PUA today and it said it was cancelled terminated or withdrawn. Then I noticed a message in red that stated don’t do anything at this time and you will be notified with instructions on what to do. When I checked my claim status it said no active claim. I had funds left over as of Dec 26. Will these roll over? Did I mess things up worse? Not sure what’s going on!

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  9. I filled for PUA, and was approved… I upload everything they have asked for and more to show proof of my identity… It has been 3 months since iv heard anything in the mail or by phone an Email. I have been submitting my weekly claims and have NOT received a payment yet! Iv called the PUA customer service line after hundred of attempts getting through and get told its a waiting game or it shouldn’t be much longer now… I’m so stressed out! I have no one to depend on to help with anything…. Need house essentials? Gas? Help with back Bills? Food? or even a roof over your head? FORGET ABOUT IT! I put applications in but its hard to even get to an interview or even back or forth to a job with no money for gas. Not counting my car insurance is over due, so now do I attempt to find work and get pulled over? Life is very stressful and sad!!! People cant even afford house hold necessities, as simple as TP, Garbage Bags, Food, Cleaning supplies, clothes, Shampoos, soaps ect. SMH!! What has America come to? And we are supposed to be the best and richest country out here!? GTFOH! That why the rest of these country’s are able to support their people and provide assistance since the beginning of this horrible deadly pandemic….

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    • tell me my username or social security number is incorrect username maybe social not and I can’t get into file my pua without that information for I’ve been trying for three whole days this number that number we can’t do with this we’re not officiated I mean try contacting the people that do the software for for the government and they can give me no information so I appreciate it very much if you could help me

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  10. Alabama is so hard to get any answers at all. I have filed now for 17 weeks and cannot get any answers for PUA assistance. Before it said I was approved for a certain amount. Now it says 0$. It says I have been paid and I have been approved. I have not received anything and cannot get in touch with anybody. I call every day and email everyday. This is totally so unprofessional. I have exhausted all of my money and I don’t kmow where my next meal or if I will kicked out on the streets any day. This is so bad. Alabama Unemployment is a crock.

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    • Hi John – I too, live in AL. I am agreeing with you 100%. Alabama unemployment is a bunch of crock. I’m at my wits end. You can’t get a live person to help. They implemented a new system that started January 1, 2021. Their new system consists of calling the 800 # after 5:00 Sunday – Thursday to schedule an appointment for the following day. The only problem with that is, you can never get through. I’ve called many many times, and every single time – it tells me the exact same thing. ‘We’re sorry, but all appointments are taken. Please try again tomorrow after 5:00 pm.’ To make it worse, they’ve got it saying that I was “Discharged for misconduct: Your employment was terminated due to misconduct in connection with work that resulted in a disregard for the employer’s interest.” Here’s the thing, I’ve been in contact with my former employer & he states that he hasn’t heard anything from the state. Honestly, there’s no reason for my former boss to lie. I’ve sent the Unemployment office certified mail with [over age 21] signature requested all of the documents they have asked for [paystubs, etc.] When I sent them the letter with this information, I told them that my former boss hasn’t been contacted or heard from anyone, I gave them his number AGAIN. As of this week, my former boss still hasn’t heard from them.

      Any suggestions?

      Reply
  11. You can not get ahold of anyone who can help you they say give me your contact info and you will get a call back within 72 hours but I have been told that for months and I have never had anyone contact me and I am just out of options I have lost every single thing I worked hard for and this is unelectable I have neve drawn unemployment before now and I have been homeless 3 times because of the carelessness

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  12. I live in Ga and I filed for unemployment in Feb and it was denied. I filed an appeal and it was reversed in April. I have not received any money for Feb. I have left 92 messages at the Cartersville office, 13 messages for Sharon Holliday who is the manager there and sent 71 emails and no one will call me. I have contacted some elected officials and the unemployment office still won’t respond. I have called many offices in Ga and still no answers. I am at a total loss as of what to do.

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  13. I filed for my benefits on 08/16/2020 and I still haven’t receive my unemployment as of 11/12/2020. Can someone tell me what is going on. I really need my unemployment to pay rent, bills and child support. I don’t know what to do.

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  14. My name is Jennifer. I lost hours due to the virus so I filed for PUA in PA. My hours were reduced from 04/24/2020 to 08/01/2020. However, when I completed the application online, the monetary determination letter shows the claim effective date as 08/30/20 so I am unable to complete the weekly certification for the weeks my hours were cut. I have not been able to get in touch with anyone for them to advise how can I goo back and fill in these dates??

    Reply
    • Hi Jennifer,

      I also live in PA and had a similar issue with PUA. You need to request the PUA group to backdate your claim to 4/24/20 so that the weekly certifications from that date are made available for you to complete.
      You will find information on this issue if you Login to the PUA website and go to MY DASHBOARD, in the Messages and Notifications section, or elsewhere on that page, you should find a link called REQUEST BACKDATING or BACK DATE REQUEST. Following is a copy of the instructions that you will find by following that link.
      If you are looking to have the effective date of your claim earlier than the week in which you opened
      your claim, you can call the PUA Call Center at 855-284-8545 OR you can send an email request to
      [email protected]. In the Subject line of the email, indicate BACK DATE REQUEST and in the body please
      indicate exactly when and how COVID affected your employment or self-employment and which weeks
      you wish to claim. (The effect of COVID-19 on your employment must be due to one of the COVID-19
      related reasons in the CARES Act for PUA eligibility).
      For example, in your email you could tell us…”I want to backdate to March 22nd because I
      have not worked since March 20th and where I worked has remained closed due to the
      Governor’s closure orders.” OR “I want to go back to March 15th because I had to temporarily
      close my business until June 6th due to the Governor’s closure orders. Please note I don’t
      need to claim as of June 7th because I have re-opened my business as of June 8th.

      As you may have heard, it’s tough to get through to the Call Center by phone, I’m pretty sure that I read on the PUA website today that the average wait time for a response to e-mail is now 1 week – not TOO bad! When I first looked into this issue in July, the response time was 6 weeks,

      Reply
  15. I’m in NH benefit year ran out August 29th I had been collecting up until March 2020 and not realized in March that I could apply for extended benefits so from March -July 29th I didn’t receive benefits I most likely qualified for including that extra $600 can I back date for those weeks?
    Also since my benefit year end on August 29th I had reopened to extend benefits 9/3 was allowed benefit and 9/4 got determination that I didn’t qualify because I didn’t make the $700to receive regular UI which I know in order to qualify for peuc you have to be denied regular UI So last week 9/6 I reopened to see if I qualify for extended benefits and it states in workforce last week claimed was 9/6 but I did not receive any determination for reopening on the 6th. Now when I go to file it gives me option to file weekly or reopen because I may qualify for PUA OR PEUC OR OTHER EXTENDED BENEFITS!! I emailed the director and he wasn’t much help so this week 9/13 do i really have to reopen again to file for peuc or pua considering I just reopened LAST week for what I thought was peuc or do I file weekly benefits? I just don’t want to reopen again if I actually did that last week and these are just generic options for everyone at this point. I didn’t receive payment yet for 9/6 which I should have on 9/9 per previous experience for my payment DD. This is very confusing and I’ve looked online for 2 days to get an answer on State and Fed sites and still no direct answer. Someone please help is like to certify my claim today since its Sunday

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    • Me too…
      Started this undertaking in June 2020…and here it is Nov.2020..
      Did everything they said e…and now..They say ..I have to appeal it..I’ve been denied..after after I wD excited

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  16. My payments for the last six months have not been sent, because the DOL in NY has not received a copy of my SS card and my passport. I sent them twice! I can’t send them FedEx because it’s a P.O.box. After spending days and days getting a call through, the DOL told me to fax the documents, even though the instructions say DO NOT FAX these. She said it’s very important that I call back the following day. I faxed the stuff and spent the entire next day try to get a call through. No luck. Just a long automated phone system, then “We are busy. Call back later.” It IS later. I can’t afford to pay my bills and my cat doesn’t want to share her food. HELP!

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  17. I have not received my 600.00 backpay and I was approved in June and received my payment but never the back pay I am eligible for. I have the letter approving me for back payments from 2-2-2020 but never received them can someone please help me

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    • I have an approval letter as well saying I qualified Mar 15. My back pay Mar 15th- July 25th is stuck somewhere in limbo and the only answer i get is, “I don’t know why, just keep waiting.” My monthly bills haven’t liked hearing that same answer from me to them either.

      Reply
  18. I was reveiving my $600 supplemental April, May and the 3 first weeks of June. This deposit stopped the last week of June. Hahaha to get in touch with an DOL agent is almost impossible. I’ve been calling during July wasting 10 hours on the phone every day and I heard ” we can not take your call right now, call later…”
    For my surprise I found 600 hundreds in the bank for the last week of July. However I am trying to contact DOL because I didn’t receive 4 weeks of my $600 Supplemental.

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  19. I need some assistamce i have been waiting for my assistance is their any help for me and my family.. Please someone get back to me

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    • I applied in may I have a active account everything was approved. I fill out my weekly certification. They start date of my claim goes back to Marc 3. My account states ever weekly certification is scheduled to be paid. My benefits go down every time I file. I still haven’t t seen a dime. I’ve been calling for months they’ve changed the numbers so many times they say talk to Tina the virtual assistant have fun with that
      Still
      Waiting

      Reply
  20. I am self-employed, and have only recently filed for UI in Florida. I am only eligible for PUA, being self-employed, and I believe I am also supposed to be eligible under the CARES act, for an additional $600.00 per week. However- there seems to be no way to get any information, or explanation about my case when I log into the system. I am thankful- it seems somehow I have been approved for a weekly amount- but how did they decide on that? It is less than half of what I make per week when working. There is no explanation, nowhere to ask, nowhere to “claim” back pay- even though I made it clear when my first day of unemployment began. There is no indication as to what might be coming, what further assistance I can expect. There is no place on the website to ask specific questions, and I get no emails from them telling me anything. What do I do?

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  21. I was told my check was mailed in July 8th and I still haven’t received nothing I’m in Arkansas please help

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  22. I am in New York City. The FPUC has ended here on 7/26/2020 last day to certify for the enhanced $600.
    I still haven’t received my retroactive backpay benefits. I did not receive any Docusign email. I am scared. Will I receive my back pay benefits? I am eligible as stated by Gov. Cuomo
    But now I’m scared that the state will have no funds. How is the back pay work? I am patiently waiting what else can I do?

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  23. Can anyone answer me on in PA for pua I applied July 5 the got email on claim letter of eligibility an I opted for direct deposit via on a visa check card I ordered previous to filing.The card is activated but I still haven’t gotten a penny.Ivsee many statements if getting payment within a few days however I did read once we’re it said 4weeks an to not contact them bc it’s a waste of there time.So my question is it normal to still be waiting?PLEASE ANYONE HELP.I

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    • My husband got layed off due to covid on May26th and was told to file june 14th. We got his determination letter a week later and it was approved..Still waiting for his checks and this is august 4th..Havent received either so far..impossible to get thru to speak to someone..we called our state rep to see if they could do anything and they were goin to check it…Got a phone call from his office last week to see if we got it yet…unfortunately bills cant wait.we have a morgage and 2 car payments…what the hell our we suppose to do. we are out of options and money..Jackie, we are from PA also..

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    • I’m in the same situation! I was approved and got the card but no money still. I been waiting for months. Can’t get thru to the office.

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    • Hi my name’s Jackie too.I literally was in the same boat.I clicked direct deposit bc I also ordered an got a “MUA” visa card.And months we’re going by with me checking daily well my dear here’s your answer.Go into your pua account and change the direct deposit to the card thingy.They will send u a “reliacard” in the mail(be aware that it will look like junk mail an comes from a different state don’t accidentally throw it away)Than follow activation directs..I did that then a week later got my card and than was able to claim all my back weeks an got it a I a lump some around 7-10 days later.Some ppl got there’s in 2-3 days.THEY DONT EMPATHIZE THAT THEY AREN’T DOING DIRECT DEPOSIT IDK WHY ITS EVEN AN OPTION.Rest assure that this is the answer my dear.Many blessings.Go get your money honey.If u need any further info in any way don’t hesitate to ask.

      Reply
  24. i have tried emailing 7 times ,calling hundreds of times with not even a spot in que to wait in line i have exhausted all avenues without a single thing done about my situation ….im beyond frustrated …this is crazy to say the least…they should hire a handful of people to answer the phones for people to get assistance .i still have no way of backdating my claim and have not reached anyone to assist me with this …

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  25. I have been receiving my benefits every week onto my debit card fine, once I file my weekly certification and it’s approved and payment shows to be sent out, however this week payment were sent on on the 20th of July to my UC debit card and I still don’t have the money posted to my debit card . Where is the money. Every week I normally recieved my PUA Wednesday. Today is Wednesday and no money in my account even though it shows on the PUA website a payment was made to my debit card? Who can I notify?

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  26. In CA EDD they don’t answer emails but the 833-978-2511 line worked for me everytime I’ve called. It can take hours of calling then a long wait on hold + most reps can’t do jack but put you on a callback, so keep calling until u get a real rep that can do something. Its 8am-8pm 7day/wk

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    • Im also in CA, i have been unemployed since march and i have applied twice, but they put me under regular unemployment to pay me $102 a week, when i have specifically in details included it happened due to COVID they disqualified me… on what grounds i have no clue. i have called the number you have provided literarily for months and the 800-300-5616 and i got not even a wait time, right away it says they have too many callers ahead call later. I have a 6 year old who now does school from home since march. im the only who takes care of her, and i have literarily gotten into so much debt. Can someone else help us, how can we reach them. I know of people who literarily lying and abusing the system and getting paid still, i just need to feed my kid and give her the essentials. who can tell us where to go or call?

      Reply
  27. I live in Maryland. I filed a PEUC application on 7/12/2020 but believe that I entered the wrong effective date. After 5 days of calling my state’s UI phone number as soon as they open only to be notified that no one was available and the call disconnected, I’m beyond frustrated! For whatever reason, I was able to “hold for an agent” around 11am today without the call being disconnected. The estimated wait time announced was “greater than 10 minutes” which I’ve heard actually means hours. I was given the option to enter a phone number for an agent to call me without losing my place in the queue. I selected this option only to hear a follow-up message that no agent was available to call me back and to call back at a later time.

    I can’t help but believe that this whole debacle has nothing to do with mismanagement of high volume, but rather intentional interference with people receiving unemployment compensation to which they are entitled.

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    • I am also in Md. and have called thousands of times and e-mailed 6 times to different addresses and have gotten nowhere since May 24th. I did get a cal!!l back from a real person and after 40 minutes was told I have to e-mail them…no response! I call every morning at 7 and recording already says try again later…disgusted with govenment!!!

      Reply
    • the same thing happened to me. I called from end of march and could never get through, finally was able to borrow a laptop and apply online in the beginning of this month. if i had to log out to get info, it would start over and I know i put in 03/20/2020. i was approved but they didnt backdate. again i had to call to get it resolved. i actually spoke to a person that said it wasnt allowing him to do that and that it had to be escalated and check website in 48 to 72 hours. i wont let this go. I am owed this and was not my fault i couldnt file. i only have a home phone, no smart phone and am borrowing this to try to not lose everything. ill keep calling but

      Reply
    • I live in MD as well, my son has been laid off in November 2020, and have applied for UI and have not heard anything yet. It has been so frustrating. He had to end up moving back home with me because he was unable to pay his rent. I try to help him out whenever I can, but it is really hard. I have done several inquiries for him and he never receives any reply from anyone. He has called several times and is just put on hold for 30 mins. to an hour. This is really ridiculous. Do you have any other way to contact them that may help.

      Thanks,

      Reply

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