Senators call on US government to help process claims overwhelming unemployment system

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PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey is not only growing in the number of new positive COVID-19 cases, but also in unemployment claims — and with an old system. Lawmakers are now trying to push the Trump administration to help.

Mark from Berlin Township has been out of work for three weeks, each day calling New Jersey’s unemployment office in hopes of having someone troubleshoot why he can’t get on to register his claim.

“Just like a lot of other people, this was unexpected. It was an unexpected lay off. Just trying to make the best of it right now,” he added. 

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, along with other Democratic senators, are pushing the U.S. Department of Labor to step in.

“The system is overwhelmed, number one. Number two, the system is antiquated,” Menendez said. 

He says across the nation, unemployment offices are dealing with older systems not equipped to handle this many people at once.

“We believe the administration should help states disperse super-charged unemployment insurance, it should provide technical support, it should assist the states in meeting the requirements to receive administrative funding,” Menendez said. 

In the meantime, the unemployment office is asking for patience as they try to sort through each one of the claims.

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Editor's note: Mark's last name was withheld for his protection.
Each day, KYW Newsradio's Kristen Johanson will answer your questions about unemployment and the stimulus package. Like us on Facebook and send a message; tweet at us at @KYWNewsradio; or email us a question.