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The Unemployed Battle Busy Phone Lines

As more companies struggle to get by, more people are being laid off. That means more people are collecting unemployment benefits.

The number of new claims for last week dropped unexpectedly, but for the 11th straight week, the number of people nationwide receiving unemployment benefits reached a record high of 5.8 million. That's up from the previous week and the highest number since 1967.

Nevada residents in need of state unemployment assistance are still facing frustrating busy signals and long hold times. State officials say patience is the key.

File for Unemployment Insurance Benefits Online 

Right now, just over 100,000 Nevadans are receiving weekly unemployment benefits. While you can file for new benefits online, many people want to talk to a live person before handing over all of their detailed personal information. That means delays and frustration.

When you call the Nevada Unemployment Benefits Hotline, expect to get a busy signal. Ken Laack knows the experience all too well, "I called the number over 300 times and just a busy signal the whole time."

Laack has been out of work as a construction superintendent since last year. When a recent weekly payment didn't come through, he tried to call for help, "You wake up in the morning, you start calling the phone number to find out what's going on, you want some information, and the number is busy and you just hit re-dial. Busy signal -- constant busy signal."

Laack is not alone.

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation runs two call centers which administers unemployment benefits. Right now, the state is taking about 23,000 calls each week.

"Our phone system continues to be very busy every day as it has been for the past year," said Mae Worthey with the Employment Security Division.

But the state says it is responding to the demand. It has nearly doubled its staff and has tripled the number of incoming phone lines, "That has significantly decreased our wait times. The wait times used to be well over an hour and now they are coming in at under and hour."

The good news is Laack learned just today his issue has been resolved, "It is completely frustrating. They need to do something about it."

The state unemployment hotline is currently open six days a week, including Saturdays. The average weekly unemployment check going out is about $300.