Gov. Beshear Addresses Unemployment in Final COVID Update

 

While COVID-19 continues its curve downward in the state of Kentucky, one critical problem exists in its wake: unemployment, and the failed forwarding of funds to those submitting for insurance.

In-person meetings between claimants and unemployment offices have recently become available, but are often gobbled like pre-orders — leaving many scrambling for the next available opening.

During Friday’s final COVID-19 update in Frankfort, Gov. Andy Beshear noted the continued vaccination of state workers will, in turn, make in-person meetings more readily available — perhaps opening the pipeline for more unemployment processing.

Amid the pandemic, two colossal road blocks appeared within the unemployment office: the rise of fraudulent cases, and a subsequent lack of digital and physical infrastructure within the organization.

And it’s two problems Frankfort is still trying to get solved.

An unprecedented 2.1 million unemployment claims have been filed in Kentucky since the beginning of the pandemic, which has understandably created log-jam with little end in sight. The Commonwealth paid out nearly $8 billion in benefits in 2020 alone, but many millions have either been re-routed by scammers, or simply haven’t been unlocked and effectively distributed.

For unemployment questions, visit kewes.ky.gov or call the UI Assistance Line at (502) 564-2900.