Undaunted and unconcerned, the administration moved ahead. And now disaster is striking all around the state. Callers who are lucky enough to get through on the phone are put on hold or forwarded to machines. Most of the time, toll-free numbers are busy. Workers are overwhelmed by requests.
Claimants wait and wait and wait before they get their unemployment checks.
And things are only going to get worse if the economy continues to slow. Complaints are already pouring in from all six state offices Allentown, Altoona, Erie, Philadelphia, Lancaster and Scranton and they re indicative of the problems Western Pennsylvania will face when the Pittsburgh call-in center begins operation this year. The state has a responsibility to provide an adequate staff and ensure a seamless transition so claimants can access services in a timely fashion. Claimants and their families cannot afford phones that go unanswered. House Democrats were on target with their concerns over automated centers.