Officials Saw Struggle Coming To Process Epidemic Unemployment Claims

The New York Times reported that as early as March 10, while contemplating a statewide stay-at-home order, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s staff was concerned about the state’s ability to handle the unprecedented numbers of people seeking unemployment benefits the order would cause.

The New York Times wrote, “The chief of staff, JoAnne Huls, scribbled notes on whiteboards [on March 10]: How would they get money and health benefits to people who would lose jobs?”

And months later, they’re still struggling to make it work.

On June 23, the state of Michigan announced that there were 11,824 people probably eligible for unemployment benefits who had filed before May 1 and are still waiting. Officials have announced a goal of making decisions on those 11,824 claims by July 4.