Go online if you want your unemployment benefits
By Thom Jensen KATU News and KATU Web StaffPORTLAND, Ore. - Dirk Doyle is out of work and is up against a growing number of people vying for what jobs are available. And like many unemployed Oregonians, he says the state's unemployment benefits claim phone line just adds to his frustration. "It just seems like it took forever," he said. Last week, KATU looked into problems with the automated phone line after hearing from other frustrated folks. We even tried calling the line ourselves, but found it time consuming and nearly hopeless. After bringing our concerns to state officials, they promised to add 43 new operators and 32 more operators could be manning unemployment call centers, like one in Milwaukie, very soon. "The phone lines are full," says Employment Department Spokesman Tom Fuller. "It's all hands on deck. Everybody who can answer the phone is answering the phone." Fuller says the best way to file your claim is to go online instead. It's quick, easy and you won't get frustrated on the phone. The state estimates only about half of all claims are filed online. They are hoping to get that number up to 80 percent so they can free up phone operators. |
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