unemployment

Not alone --- more than six million americans are out of a job .... we've received dozens of emails about how hard it is for people in mississippi to file for unemployment ... with busy phone lines ,, non- working numbers,,, and website problems --- frustrations are mounting ... but we're here to help you try and navigate the confusion ... the biggest reason you may be having problems is the sheer number of people filing for claims right now... more than 30 thousand mississippians filed for unemployment last week --- and with the governor's shelter-in-place order going into effect this afternoon,,,that number will likely increase in the coming weeks as more businesses across the state close their doors ... let's put the number into perspective --- typically,,, the mississippi department of employment services receives less than one thousand new filings a week ... a manageable number for the 50 workers who previously handled unemployment requests ... however,,, as the coronavirus began to spread across the state,,, more and more people found themselves unable to work ... the department nearly doubled their staff to try and handle the increase in calls .... in this tweet from last week,,, lt.

Governor delbert hosemann said the number of new requests jumped from 600 to 6 thousand ... and now we've seen that number go up to over 30 thousand ... with just 120 people on staff,,, they would have to each handle 250 applications a week ... so to help make it easier for you to get your claims filed,,, they've made some changes ... you can apply for benefits several different ways ... -- you can call --- the department expanded their hours this week --- the call center is now open from 7 am to 10 pm ,, seven days a week... -- you can go on-line ,,, 24 hours a day .... -- you can download and file through the app ... -- or you can download a form ,,, fill it out,,, and return it by e- mail ... if you have any problems filing your claim ,,, the department says you should contact your local win job center for help.... keep in mind the physical locations are closed,,, so you'll have to call ... you may be wondering if you even qualify for unemployment ... recently,,, the governor issued an executive order that modified the rules for missisisppi workers who can't work because of the coronavirus ... --- you qualify if you are quarantined by a medical professional or government agency ... -- if you are laid off or sent home without pay for an extended period over covid-19 concerns... -- if you are diagnosed with the disease ,,,, --- or caring for an immediate family member who is ... keep in mind with the crush of applications,, it will likely take longer to file your initial claim,, but once it's done,, you should see your first payment in two to three weeks ... if your application is denied,,, you can appeal -- but that process will also likely take longer right now ... the governor also changed how soon you qualify and what you have to do to keep those benefits coming in ... he suspended the normal one week waiting period,,, so if you are approved,,, the benefits kick in from the date you qualified ... and you don't have to meet the work search requirements --- that means no job hunting ,, or submitting applications ... however,, to stay eligibile --- you still have to file for weekly certification ... you can do that online or through the app ..

As for how much those weekly checks will be for,,, there are some changes there as well ... because new emergency federal legislation boosted unemployment checks by 600 dollars ,,, jobless workers in mississippi will see their weekly amount more than triple -- from a maximum of 235 dollars to 835 dollars... the exact amount depends on your eligibility and how much you currently earn... hopefully,,, this clears up any confusion you may have over how to go about filing for your benefits... i know this is a lot of information .... but we have it all on our website ,,, so be sure to look for it there ...