Frustrating perils of unemployment compensation
As an independent consultant who has been out of work as a direct result of COVID-19, Art Villafane of Emmaus could not have been more pleased to learn that he could file for unemployment compensation, an option typically not available to independent consultants.
He quickly filed a claim on March 29. Six weeks later, he received a letter stating that he was ineligible for funds because he was not employed the last 18 months. He sent proof: 50 pages worth. He heard nothing through middle of June. Then he was notified that his case had issues and that his claim would not be fulfilled until they were resolved. As of mid-July, he is still waiting. He has had almost no income since mid-March.
Rachel Hamilton, a part-time retail worker in the Allentown area, applied for unemployment at the end of April. She received confirmation that she was approved. She files a biweekly claim as instructed. Two months have gone by and not a word.
Shelby Morgan, a substitute teacher in the Fogelsville area, applied for unemployment March 24. She did not receive her determination letter until April 14. Her first payment arrived on April 21 and then, nothing. She regularly tried to call, email and live chat, and almost always received a busy signal or no response. Finally, following help from U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey’s office, she was informed that the state could release two of her checks but nothing else. She is thankful that she is living with her parents or she would have no way to support herself at the moment.
Three different people, all different experiences, all ending in drawn-out delays in receiving funds — funds that they paid into and need to survive.
What has been causing the problem at a time when services are needed most? I checked in with our elected officials to gain some perspective.
State Sen. Pat Browne, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, responded by stating:
“The sheer volume of unemployment compensation claims the state has received since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic has been nothing short of unprecedented. While the Department of Labor and Industry has been working diligently to process these claims, there have been some extraordinary delays of payment and long waits for claimants. The hardships and financial strain that this has caused for many Pennsylvania families are significant.
“Throughout the pandemic, my staff has been working nonstop with the Department to resolve issues that constituents have had with the Unemployment Compensation system. If you are in the 16th Senatorial District and are experiencing problems with Unemployment Compensation or the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, I encourage you to call my office for assistance.”
His colleague in the 18th Senatorial District, state Sen. Lisa Boscola, wrote: “Exasperation is the best word I could use to sum up the unemployment system. We are well beyond excuses. As late as June 19 my office was working with over 500 people that had not received a dime since March. It is unacceptable. We need to get people paid and then we need a plan from the administration on how to upgrade the system so we can better address these issues.”
The issue is being addressed on the
federal level, as well. From U.S. Sen. Bob Casey:
“The COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis it has created have required state unemployment systems to manage an unprecedented number of unemployment claims and rapidly roll out benefit expansions created by Congress in the CARES Act. These benefits have helped millions of workers and their families keep their heads above water, and they need to be extended by passing legislation like the American Workforce Rescue Act, which I proudly cosponsor.
“In too many instances, however, workers have had to wait too long to receive the benefits they are entitled to under the law. My office continues to hear from Pennsylvanians who have been waiting for months for their unemployment benefits. That is why I joined 23 of my Senate colleagues on a letter calling on the Department of Labor to conduct a thorough review of the problems that have affected state systems during this pandemic. It is critical that the federal government continue to help states get needed benefits as quickly as possible and that we identify and resolve all issues that have caused delays to date.”
While the answers make sense, words do not pay the bills for thousands in the Lehigh Valley still waiting for basic unemployment compensation. Once we emerge from the current crisis, it will be essential for states to have contingency plans in place to accommodate future surges. If we fail to plan, then we are planning to fail. And right now, our systems are failing far too many people.
Tina Hamilton is president and CEO of myHR Partner Inc., a Lehigh Valley human resources outsourcing firm that manages HR for clients in 26 states. Reach her at tina@myhrpartnerinc.com.