Jan 22, 2009 10:41 pm US/Eastern
Unemployment Offices Cope With Rise In Claim
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
The rise of unemployment in the United States is a problem that keeps getting bigger, and the numbers continue to go up in Massachusetts.
The unemployment rate jumped one percent in just a month. Nearly
17,000 people in the state lost their jobs in December, raising the unemployment rate from 5.9 percent in November to 6.9 percent in December.
One year ago, that number was 4.3 percent.
It has become such a problem that the system is having trouble keeping up.
The Department of Unemployment Assistance has added staff and extended its hours to help handle the high volume of calls they've been getting.
Even its walk-in centers remain busy all day.
"I just filed a claim," said Glen Boivin. "I'm three weeks unemployed."
Boivin is one of thousands of people in the Bay State without a job.
In just the last week, the Division of Unemployment Assistance said they've had more than 15,000 claims filed, which is up from 8,700 in the previous year.
"That increase is an extreme increase. In addition to that we have 208,000 people that are collecting unemployment insurance benefits," said Edward Malmborg with the DUA.
Malmborg says the high volume of people seeking claims has put a strain on the department. Those with eligibility issues may have to wait weeks before receiving a check.
"That process has slowed down, so people can be waiting up to five or six weeks, and we feel terrible about it," he said. "That's why we are bringing out more staff to help us to handle that."
"People are here lined up before we open our door filing unemployment claims," said Rosemary Alexander, director at JobNet.
Walk-in centers like JobNet in Boston helps people file claims and find work. Boivin, who is also legally blind, came after being let go of his job of 25 years.
"So I am coming at this from two different angles," he explained. "Number one, trying to start a new career and not being able to see."
He spoke with an agent who helped him with his resume and made sure he's eligible to receive a check once his paper work goes through.
"This was my first meeting here at JobNet, and I got some great information."
"Whoever needs this assistance will get this assistance," Malmborg said.
Hopefully relief is on the way. The Division of Unemployment Assistance says President Barack Obama's economic recovery and reinvestment act will provide multiple jobs and projects for those folks who have been collecting unemployment. The goal is to get those people working immediately.
To handle all the new calls, the DUA has hired 65 more people to its staff, and they will be hiring more in the coming weeks.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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