Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Unemployment Hotline Overwhelmed

Recently unemployed Alabamans are reporting extremely long hold times on their required weekly phone calls to the State Government. One Selma resident reported a 1 hour and 24 minute wait, Monday, before anyone came on the line to help. This seems to be the norm, as unemployment numbers rise.

To cope with the rising demand on the state's jobless hotline, the Department of Industrial Relations, last week, instituted a new policy of allowing only those whose social security numbers ending with 0-4 to call in on Mondays, and those ending in 5-9 to call on Tuesday. Wednesday-Friday will be open for anyone. But, if Monday was any indication, it doesn't seem to be working.

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