Progress made on state unemployment claims, but thousands still waiting – ABC 12 News

SAGINAW (WJRT) (4/24/2020) - More than 1 million Michigan residents have filed for unemployment after losing their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.

Most of them have received a share of $1.3 billion in unemployment assistance disbursed statewide, but thousands are starting to lose hope.

They are calling and emailing the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency every day, wondering when their benefits are going to reach them.

A Tuscola County man has been out of work for over a month and is still waiting for a check. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has promised help for him and all other unemployed workers.

"Anytime you've still got thousands of people that haven't gotten the help they need, we have work to do," she said.

Whitmer's administration is working to get approximately 180,000 unemployed Michigan workers their money. Jordan Chapman of Vassar has been approved for unemployment, but has received nothing.

"I probably called 100, 200 times a day. I probably emailed 50 to 60 people," he said.

Whitmer has admitted the unemployment claims have overwhelmed the system, but the response times have improved.

"That's precisely why we have quadrupled the number of people who are working with us on the phones to help people navigate the system and get those checks out," she said.

Chapman said he can't wait any longer, he has bills to pay.

"I had to sell my boat so I could pay some bills. Thankful for friends to help me out," he said.

Chapman also hasn't received a stimulus payment either. Now he thinks he might get called back to work before he even sees a dime of unemployment benefits.

"I basically got to the point where I am ready to give up and just call it a loss because it's not worth the stress anymore," Chapman said.

Whitmer has been telling unemployed workers not to give up hope.

"I just hope that everyone who is tuning in who's frustrated, we are going to make sure that every person has the benefits that they've earned, and that is in the works," she said.

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Progress made on state unemployment claims, but thousands still waiting - ABC 12 News

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