The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) issued over $130 million last week to Georgians in regular Unemployment Insurance (UI), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), State Extended Benefits (SEB), and Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) payments. The total issued included payments to almost 167,000 Georgians as part of the Continued Assistance Act (CAA) included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 providing extended benefits for claimants on PEUC and PUA. Last week, almost 300,000 claimants received an FPUC supplement.
The GDOL is still receiving federal guidance on programming the 11-week extension for over 239,000 claimants who exhausted PEUC and PUA benefits on or before week-ending date 12/26/20. Claimants should not file a new claim if they have exhausted benefits, but should continue to request weekly payments. The GDOL will update claimants on next steps as soon as the guidance is received and programming changes are implemented.
“We were able to pay most Georgians without interruption, even with the new guidelines put forth by the new legislation,” said Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler. “We will be implementing even more changes to pay those individuals who have already exhausted benefits and will also implement some of the new programs that were passed in legislation as quickly as possible. Some of the elements of the new bill are going to require extensive new programming due to how complex the rules were written in the legislation.”
The GDOL encourages claimants to continue to request weekly payments for those who have exhausted benefits or are waiting on determinations on eligibility. Determinations are continuing to be issued for claimants awaiting eligibility decisions when a job separation is other than lack of work or includes other potential issues that can affect eligibility, such as receipt of severance or retirement pay, refusal to accept suitable job offers, or failure to return to work. All eligible payments will be issued when a decision on eligibility is released, including any additional weeks of benefits a claimant could potentially be eligible for with the implementation of the new program extensions.
The GDOL has paid over $16.8 billion in state and federal benefits since the beginning of the pandemic in March of this year. Since week ending March 21, 2020, 4,232,291 regular UI initial claims have been processed, more than the last nine years combined (4.0 million). Last week, regular UI initial claims totaled 31,458, up 12,498 over the week. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 346,494 PUA claims have been processed.
The number of initial unemployment claims filed throughout the United States for the week ending Jan. 2, was 787,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week’s revised level of 790,000.
The sectors with the most weekly regular UI initial claims processed included Manufacturing, 7,739, Accommodation and Food Services, 6,507, Administrative and Support Services, 3,622, Transportation and Warehousing, 2,031, and Health Care and Social Assistance, 1,989.
Juanita Griffin
January 12, 2021 at 9:32 am
I’ve been doing that and I haven’t received nothing.
Christopher Burgess
January 12, 2021 at 11:06 am
How about trying to answer the phone????
gaytha gilliam
January 12, 2021 at 3:21 pm
My PUA exhausted on 12/12/2020, I have continued claiming as instructed. Does anyone have an estimated timeline. I am really hurting, my stimulus has been sent to republic bank because of irs mistake. and no unemployment coming in. HELP
SAM
January 12, 2021 at 6:07 pm
GDOL is LYING, they have already gotten all the Guidance they need, but are INCOMPETENT
Tiffany A Hollenshead
January 12, 2021 at 9:52 pm
They lied they have not and still say they are a waiting guidance from the usdol 250000 people in Georgia have not received any ui benefits in weeks most did nor receive a stimulus check so its very hard for us at this point dol does not care and has added to out suffering
Stephen pierce
January 13, 2021 at 3:01 am
I dont know why they cant send our payments an fill in the paperwork later it is going to be the same amount
Larry
January 13, 2021 at 8:04 am
Just keep praying. God will come through
Nate Duncan
January 13, 2021 at 9:01 am
I’ve continued to request my weekly benefits and I still haven’t received anything and things are really getting bad. The only answers I can get are automated or lettters saying that the DOL is waiting for further instructions
James
January 13, 2021 at 9:28 am
Still waiting for updates or status This is ridiculous
I have requested payments as instructed it would at least be nice to get a status as to what is happening how do you expect people to survive
Alice Birmingham
January 13, 2021 at 9:38 am
Unacceptable. People who just exhausted haven’t missed a week of pay yet the ones who’ve been exhausted since November, haven’t seen as dime since then. It’s only Georgia, every other state has figured it out and have been paying their people. I believe it’s just a way to hang onto as much money as they can for all long as they can.
Paula Amerson
January 13, 2021 at 10:43 am
I haven’t received any thing from GDOL I can’t even get email from them are Mr.Butler. I’ve called a number of times no one has called me back.Does it really take that long to get it started This February will be a year.
KAHLILAH JONES
January 13, 2021 at 11:42 am
SOUNDS LIKE A BUNCH OF LIES ONCE AGAIN…NO PAYMENT/ UPDATED ACCOUNT INFORMATION ITS REALLY SAD…
Kevin
January 13, 2021 at 4:51 pm
This is crap I have gotten benefits every week and now with the new 300 added in I have received nothing they are screwing around not working can’t reach by email phone nothing and they don’t return calls
Misty Messer
January 13, 2021 at 5:25 pm
I have been requesting payment for 16 weeks with no payments!! No responses to emails or phone calls. I’ve emailed the GADOL Commissioner, the Governor, 7 Senators, and 2 House of Representatives. A few responses saying they’ll ask the DOL to respond but still NOTHING!! Beyond frustrating!
Carol Mitchell
January 13, 2021 at 6:33 pm
I been claiming my benefits sense I filed. How about you pay people that didn’t receive sense this all happen
I waiting for mines
D.
January 13, 2021 at 6:35 pm
I filed in July, still nothing!
But they claim they’re all caught up, that’s Bullshit!
Johnson
January 13, 2021 at 6:58 pm
You post what we should be doing, but when what you’ve been posting doesn’t work, we still can’t contact your office, unbelievable.
My deposit stated posted into my account but their is no money there, as well as my son. People are trying to survive out here, have a day to just pick up the phone and answer questions or hire more people
Juanit quinones
January 13, 2021 at 7:44 pm
I agree I filed in October and absolutely nothing just got a confirmation number and nothing I have been calling NOTHING AT ALL . How ABOUT ANSWERING CALLS OR CALLING BACK OR EVEN AN EMAIL.
Kacey Burns
January 13, 2021 at 8:17 pm
I’ve been trying to get them for a month they owe been 13 extended weeks plus the 300 that was signed into law I’ve left 14 voicemails and called over 200 times noonevits ridiculous apparently they don’t care about single moms with 7 kids who lost there job
Stacey Duffie
January 13, 2021 at 8:27 pm
I have been eligible for unemployment benefits since June. I even received a letter verifieing it but nothing. Then got another letter in August and still nothing but a letter. Have applied again but this time nothing not even a letter. Whats going on???? Someone isnt doing their jobs to help people that are really in need.
Cal
January 13, 2021 at 8:28 pm
I have been waiting almost a yr. Received 1 payment then put on hold case still pending
Michael
January 13, 2021 at 9:03 pm
LIES!!! Filed end of September- STILL waiting on eligibility determination! We’ve exhausted all our savings and things are looking really bad for us. Have contacted multiple senators and house representatives which has done nothing and not a single word from GDOL! This is beyond ridiculous.
A. Draves
January 13, 2021 at 9:22 pm
I filed in May 2020 and as of today no help at all not even a decision on my claim and no responses from anyone. Will not let me claim weekly any longer. I have even emailed commissioner several times. No answer on phone or to emails.
Denise
January 13, 2021 at 9:33 pm
What about the people that have filed an appeal and still haven’t heard back
Tiesha
January 13, 2021 at 9:52 pm
This was my first year getting unemployment because of this pandemic. I was getting my unemployment and since i filed for unemployment without receiving it last year. I had to reapply i been waiting since November now to get my benefits started back up. You can’t get no one on the phone. I email them they will respond. That’s how i knew i had to do another claim but since i did another claim no one wants to respond.
John Holnaider
January 13, 2021 at 9:56 pm
I have called many times. Locked out of system. Tried many different numbers.
Robert Gresham
January 13, 2021 at 10:09 pm
I have been waiting for 9 weeks for help and have not heard nothing.
Robert
January 13, 2021 at 10:23 pm
Waiting since Oct.nothing .I need help.
Jodie
January 13, 2021 at 10:24 pm
Put my claim in every week. I haven’t received anything yet. Having hard time
Terry Brand
January 13, 2021 at 10:35 pm
I was approved for pua on October 4/2020 and still have not received my first check they said i didn’t qualify for regular unemployment but qualify for the pua and still have not received nothing and I’m out of work due to surgery because of the covid 19 i can’t return to work until May 2021
Keion Barber
January 13, 2021 at 10:36 pm
I have been waiting since March and no money. L received a letter of approval in August where is the money
Terry Brand
January 13, 2021 at 10:36 pm
Ive even emailed the commissioner and still nothing
Paloma Heard
January 13, 2021 at 11:33 pm
They are lying and you all are allowed to post false claims, all you have to do is look at their Facebook pages and these groups,they haven’t paid anything to anyone. They continue claiming they are waiting on guidance and posting subliminal smart egotistical comments and posts. Mark Butler is a complete fraud. Where is our payments? What do we have to do to get our voices heard and get some things handled in Georgia?
Pamela
January 13, 2021 at 11:34 pm
I am still waiting benefits are exhausted been certifying every week I can’t anymore on the phone or email me back,,,,It sad
Anonymous
January 14, 2021 at 3:15 am
I’m on the flip side of the coin I was due just a couple of weeks pay from early in the year because I looked out and got a job and worked all year long. In September they opened a new claim for me because my previous employer had refiled for me even though I had a job in another company. I contacted them through their website and told them about the problem they said they would look at it. Next thing I know they issued a payment of eight times the amount I was due to get. I don’t dare touch it for fear going to jail for fraud. But of course they won’t call me back and never answer the phone.
Chamon Cabezudo
January 14, 2021 at 4:12 am
IT MAKES NO SENSE OF SO MANY OF US HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SINGLE PAYMENT !!!
Sam
January 14, 2021 at 5:00 am
Been waiting for over 2 months now for benefits. Tried scheduling a appointment online all i got was system down or no more available appointments. Tried calling all i got was we sorry we are experiencing system issues numerous times. Finally got thru to speak with someone after waiting 2hours and 50mins. In which i was told my claim is in review status. This is ridiculous,its over 2 months now. People of Georgia deserve better.
Rebecca I Collum
January 14, 2021 at 7:07 am
I have not received my unemployment benefits since 11/17/2020. The UI wedsite added a app called I’d.me and locked my account and my money isn’t coming on my way2go card. What do I do? Please help me.
Rasaan Thomas
January 14, 2021 at 7:10 am
This is BS I’ve been waiting since May 2020 an still haven’t seen my money instead of writing a fluff piece how about leaving a reliable Number/Email that would respond back when we have questions
Ayanna Segure
January 14, 2021 at 7:16 am
I see alot of people like me ..Are your kids home like.mine smh Georgia someone has to pay for this let down I’ve been waiting since September No Christmas for my babies this year. They need new everything. I can’t let them.be home alone.I tried doing the voting canvass gig to get some bills paid Thank God They were able to ride around with me. I am disappointed in my home state 😞
Charlene McLain
January 14, 2021 at 7:19 am
I filed the 1st of Nov and nothing has changed, still saying waiting on determination on my account, been saying that since the second week of Nov, get it together so if unemployment is not going to help we can at least get PUA to help us…I have called and left messages many times no call backs, wait on hold for an hour and half then get cut off, so tired of the lies…and no help….
Jarvis Johnson
January 14, 2021 at 7:35 am
They don’t answer your email through the support app nor have I got anything from them not even an letter im to the point, I’m suffering from covid 19 and still can’t get the assistance from these unprofessional people
Christopher Beck
January 14, 2021 at 8:01 am
I was laid off from plant Vogel over a year ago,Richmond County contractors filled unemployment for me.I have emailed faxed called a hundred times; never got stimulus or unemployment.I have given up I need the moneybut can’t spend my life spinning my wheels Covid is bad thanks Georgia.
James Dodson
January 14, 2021 at 8:10 am
It’s as though this department has been completely abandoned. From all I’ve gathered the majority of recipients are unacknowledged. It’s so lacking that a lawsuit has been filed by a group of claimants. This governmental ofc IS NOT serving “we the people” as designed. There’s certainly no labor shortage – you hire whatever is needed to fulfill duties TIMELY. This looks like gross negligence. It appears Georgians will need to unite, spotlight this issue, and raise hell. This department is not fulfilling its purpose.
Leonard Chest
January 14, 2021 at 8:32 am
I was cut off ui benefits in July.Never was placed on pua.Filed for pua in the beginning of Sept.Was processed and then approved.It is Jan 2021.Still havent recieved not 1 paymayment since July 17,2020. Can’t contact noone.Sent multiple emails.Called over 6-700 times.Still nothing. I file my pua claims every week on time.Still have not received 1 payment for my pua.
MOLLY K DARWIN
January 14, 2021 at 8:40 am
I applied for benefits 7 weeks ago and have been reporting weekly. Have not received anything. I did receive a call from their office after sending an email from the DOL website and the communication was USELESS! All they could tell me was it was awaiting determination and that it would depend on how many people were ahead of me. This is DESPICABLE. They say they are having a hard time keeping staff due to the stress of the job. How about pay your workers a decent wage? There are people out here about to lose EVERYTHING they have worked for because the DOL can’t get their s**t together!
Sungwon Kim
January 14, 2021 at 8:43 am
I filed july and got allowance letter. Claim until now but receive nothing. Feel sorry to hear i’m not the only case.
Shawna Ladson
January 14, 2021 at 10:07 am
My fiance was denied unemployment because they said he didn’t make enough when he made 18,000 in 2019. I appealed it on September 21st. Have emailed and left voicemails SEVERAL times and absolutely NO response whatsoever. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!! 🤬
Heather L Esque
January 14, 2021 at 10:07 am
No response from anyone….period. My God, if one of your family members needed help…..well, they wouldnt be waiting 1 week, nevermind MONTHS! Filed beginning of October and yet NOTHING! THANKYOU for not assisting Georginians
George
January 14, 2021 at 6:20 pm
I exausted my benefits 2 week before Christmas so there was no Christmas this year for the kids bills are behind and I can’t get a response GDol you are a discrace to my home state all I can say to my people who are struggling just keep faith
Charles Risher
January 15, 2021 at 4:17 am
The State of GA is a travesty. They are the most heartless government I’ve ever lived under. They deny you for anything and everything the employer says, and in a Pandemic and economic depression. Twice I have been let go and denied by the state for benefits, they have forced me into foreclosure and Bankruptcy. All while I still have 4k dollars in my unemployment claim. In April my daughter felt ill and I stayed home to help her. My employer took it upon themselves to spread a Covid rumor about me and all of a sudden I couldn’t come back to work and was required to get a test. Never knew the manager was a doctor but guess he was and a financial mercenary as well as the Department of Liars
Reshé Buckmaster
January 15, 2021 at 6:36 am
Haven’t recieved anything since my unemployment exhausted. They said there shouldn’t be any interruptions since the new bill has been signed in but I haven’t received nothing and still they won’t answer or return calls. Yes I’ve been continuing to claim my weeks. Don’t even know if I qualify. I need answers, been being told a bunch of lies.
Virginia
January 15, 2021 at 11:12 am
I am still waiting too and I know others who are also
Sander vilace
January 15, 2021 at 7:06 pm
JUST be patient we haven’t been forgotten all prays delayed are not denied