Unemployment insurance was an economic lifeline for millions of Americans who found themselves out of work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But many discovered a safety net that was frayed and hard to access.
Applicants were met by frozen screens and endless waits on the phone as antiquated state systems were overwhelmed by the volume of claims. Getting assistance within a reasonable time frame frequently depended on the state where you lived.
And some who needed financial help weren’t certain they qualified given the patchwork of state rules and confusion about new, but temporary federal assistance aimed at getting money to more workers during the health crisis.
“Many state unemployment systems were under-resourced and unprepared to support workers during the latest period of mass unemployment in 2020 and 2021,” says Nicole Marquez, Director of Social Insurance for the National Employment Law Project. “We urgently need an unemployment system with national uniform guardrails and standards that centers the needs and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and workers of color.”
What’s broken?
Outmoded systems – As jobless claims poured in, creaky technology and outdated processes led to massive delays, denials of assistance, and instances of fraud, experts say.
“Broken unemployment insurance infrastructures… wreaked havoc for jobless workers who need those benefits but are unable to access them,” Marquez said.
Amanda Fortin, 39, has been fighting to get unemployment…
