Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- There have been several changes to the extended unemployment benefits program in our state, and the 23-year-old computer system at the Employment Security Commission just isn't set up to handle them. They say they've never seen so many people needing extended benefits, and now thousands who do could be stuck waiting for their checks.
"Eleven- to 12,000 who are being affected by the fact that they've already exhausted they're entitled to so far, and that's 79 weeks," Unemployment Insurance Director Allen Larson says.
According to the Employment Security Commission, their computer system isn't set up to make payments after 79 weeks.
However, Larson says they're working to get the money out quickly.
"We're looking at two things here, the expediency of how quickly we can get the programming done, but also to make sure we pay people we should and don't who we shouldn't," he explains.
But it's a process that will take weeks.
"By law we've got to send notices to all the potential people who are eligible and then bring them in and determine whether or not they are eligible for those new benefits," Larson says. "People need these funds, you know to put food on the table and pay the rent and mortgage and put gas in the cars, it's something that we understand and we're doing everything as quickly as we can."
The ESC is hoping to notify those eligible for extended benefits within the next few weeks. They say all payments will be retro-active. Looking forward, South Carolina is using a $10 million grant to work with three other states on a new benefits system.
11/30/2009 7:43:39 PM
