More GA Jobless Claims In 4 Weeks Than All Of 2009: Coronavirus

GWINNETT COUNTY, GEORGIA — Georgians may file more unemployment claims in four weeks than they did in all of 2009, the worst year of the recession, according to a top Georgia government official.

Labor Commissioner Mark Butler delivered the bad news in a town hall teleconferenced Thursday to the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, reports The Gwinnett Daily Post. Butler predicted those claims would be “an incredible amount of workload.”

Already, more than 500,000 unemployment claims have been filed in Georgia since mid-March because of coronavirus-related layoffs. About a million claims were filed in 2009, Butler said.

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Last week continued to set records for claim numbers with about 400,000 filed. The previous week, Georgia accepted more than 133,000 claims — the most claims filed since December 2008.

Butler told the Chamber his staff was fielding an “astonishing” volume of phone calls and emails, “but quite frankly it’s almost like we’re pushing against the tide.” He told employers they could speed up the process by filing claims themselves for their furloughed workers

Georgia numbers square with federal numbers: The U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday that 6.6 million claims for unemployment benefits were filed last week. That brings the total over the last four weeks to more than 17 million nationwide.

How To Apply For Unemployment

The Georgia Department of Labor is temporarily suspending all in-person requirements for services. Residents are asked to conduct GDOL-related business online to protect everyone from potential exposure to COVID-19. Find instructions on the department's website.

Filing an Unemployment Claim Online

You will need your:

• Social Security Number
• Georgia Driver’s License, if applicable
• Bank’s routing number and your account number (if you want to receive your benefit payments via direct deposit)
• Work history information for the last 18 months

Follow these steps:

1. Select the link labeled Apply for Unemployment Benefits on the GDOL Home page.
2. Answer the questions completely.
3. Download and read the Claimant Handbook. Information in this handbook provides detailed instructions regarding the unemployment insurance program and “Next Steps” to follow after submitting your claim.
4. Record your Confirmation Number. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address provided when completing the claim application. (If you do not receive a confirmation number, the application was not successfully completed. It remains on the system for 24 hours. Log in again and make sure you select FINISH to receive a confirmation number.)

After you file, your next steps are to:

1. Request your weekly benefit payment every week, starting the first Sunday after filing your claim by selecting Claim Weekly UI Benefits Payments on the GDOL Home page or calling the Interactive Voice Response System at 1-866-598-4164
2. Respond immediately to all requests for additional information.
3. GDOL will contact you if it is necessary for you to complete an Applicant Status Affidavit (DOL-1054A). You will not have to go to a career center.
4. If needed, download and complete the affidavit in its entirety.
5. Mail the affidavit and an enlarged, legible copy of your valid government-issued picture identification to the career center you selected on your claim. Select Find a Career Center or use the address indicated in the email request.

If you have claimed a week of benefits and have not received your written determination of eligibility, Claims Examiner’s Determination within 21 days of the filed date, you may call UI Customer Service immediately at 404-232-3001 (in Metro Atlanta) or 1-877-709-8185 (in all other areas).

Those not eligible for Georgia benefits — including the self-employed, gig workers and those with a limited work history — may qualify for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. GDOL anticipates having a modified application for these benefits available on its website by Monday.

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