PITTSBURGH — Thousands of people in the area report constant problems with Pennsylvania’s unemployment benefits system. Edward Grates just wants to know what’s going on.
“I have to call them every week. And it’s not a couple of phone calls. It’s six to 8000 calls a week to get through. It’s insane,” he said.
Grates lost his job in June and filed for regular unemployment. He’s had nothing but problems. Grates said a representative from the unemployment office told him they have to manually release his payments. When that doesn’t happen, he doesn’t get his money.
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“I’m not making any money, but how do I tell my landlord, ‘Hey, I can’t pay my rent right now because unemployment hasn’t come through?’” Grates said.
The Department of Labor and Industry said it’s having issues with claims for regular unemployment filed on Jan. 1. The office told Channel 11 the payments have been reissued. If you haven’t gotten your money, there’s likely a problem with your specific claim and you need to contact the office again.
“How long do we wait? We’re living in our cars. Everyday normal expenses have not stopped. Electric bills don’t stop. Gas bills don’t stop. And the cycle is tumbling down the hill faster than anyone can keep up with it,” Grates said.
11 Investigates has received dozens of calls and emails from people with any number of unemployment problems, from extended benefits to PUA and PEUC pandemic programs. Everyone is still waiting for their lifeline payments.
“It’s hard just trying to find where you’re going to get your next meal from now. Bills don’t stop coming, and it’s like if unemployment ain’t kicking off money, how were we supposed to pay the bills?” asked Edward Graham.
Graham was also laid off during the pandemic and filed for extended benefits after exhausting all other options. He hasn’t gotten a payment in three weeks.
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“We’re still out here trying to make a dollar just so we can still live and support our family,” he said.
Both Graham and Grates had a message for people going through the same thing.
“I’m praying for myself and praying for you. It’s tough. Stick it out,” Graham said.
“Just stay strong. Keep hope. We’re all blessed out here because we wake up every day,” Grates said.
Extended benefits
State officials said people who filed extended benefits on Sunday of last week, Jan. 3, have not gotten paid. They are working to find out how many people were affected. This is a program in the state’s unemployment system triggered by the rate of people out of work. It’s a last resort for many people.
Federal unemployment issues
If you’re on a federal unemployment program and have not received your benefits, state officials said do not file another claim. If you do, you may end up having two identical claims in the system. That could get flagged for duplication, which means you’ll have to wait even longer for any payments.
State officials told 11 Investigates if you are on PEUC and still have weeks left to file before Dec. 26, you can now do that again.
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