PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania labor officials are bringing on extra staff and a new computer system to help handle the overwhelming number of calls to their unemployment office.
The state's jobless surge is one of the largest in the country. Officials say 1.3 million people filed for unemployment assistance during the crisis, and more than half of them have been accepted. However, self-employed and independent contractors must wait another two weeks for guidance from the department.
During their weekly press briefing, state labor officials said everyone who has been accepted should now have a personal identification number so they can file their claims. However, they said, it still takes about three weeks for applicants to get their eligibility confirmation.
"We know even with that, there are still frustrated citizens trying to get through," Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak said.
"That is why we are doing all we can to get them the benefits they need."
He says the department is adding 100 employees to the office and calling on about 70 retirees to help manage the volume of applications.
Oleksiak said an automated phone system is helping by answering specific questions and expediting the process for callers.
"Has already taken 5,000 calls and answered a lot of routine questions that we get from claimants," he said. "We will continue to update that technological marvel and continue to reach even more people."
Oleksiak also announced a new job-search website for people who may have become unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic. (https://www.pacareerlink.pa.gov)
"We saw the areas that were most impacted in Pennsylvania were hotel and entertainment, travel and some manufacturing," he said.
And the department encouraged employers looking for people to post new positions.
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