SALEM, Ore. - State officials and lawmakers are on the case after a KATU report exposed widespread problems that are keeping people from their unemployment checks.

The problem came to light after a woman called KATU saying she was at her wits end with the system.  And when we checked into it, we stumbled upon what appeared to be a massive problem.

Monika York was laid off almost a month and a half ago and she has not been able to collect a dime of the unemployment benefits she deserves.

You see, there are only two ways in Oregon to apply for unemployment benefits - through a state Web site or over the phone, and both automated systems were kicking York off before she even had a chance to get in her claim.

When we tried to call the automated phone system on Thursday, we encountered the same problem over and over again - we just never got through.

State officials reacted quickly to the problem exposed by our report and the Employment Department spokesman even asked us for suggestions on how to improve the system.  And they definitely realize that people need to get their benefit checks as quickly as possible.

So they are now making sweeping changes to the automated phone system that, besides the Internet, is the only way to apply for benefits.

"We're going to try to add as many as 20 more staff right away," said Tom Fuller with the Oregon Employment Department.  "If that doesn't mitigate the problem, we'll look at adding even more staff."

The magnitude of the benefits problem also caught the attention of lawmakers.  Senate President Peter Courtney said the legislature will use its oversight to make sure Oregonians get the benefits they deserve.

The Employment Department is asking people to be patient with them while they work through these problems.  After all, this is a department that has been crushed by new benefit applicants in recent weeks.

So what can you do if you're having problems getting your benefits?  Well the Employment Department has made a change that can help. 

If you can't get through over the Internet or on the phone, head down to the nearest Employment Department office and give them your name and number.  They say someone will call you back.