Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Releases Information on Unemployment Benefits During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 -- 9:15 AM
-The Department of Workforce Development released information related to the total number of unemployment calls received, applications filed, claims processed, and monies distributed in Wisconsin as of the week ending August 1st.The Department announced, based on preliminary numbers, there were 19,108 initial applications filed the week ending August 1. Of those new applications, 1,308 applications are from claimants who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits and applied for special unemployment benefits for the coronavirus. This is compared to 22,825 in initial applications the week prior. Unemployment Insurance is a joint state-federal program that provides benefits to eligible workers. Each state administers a separate UI program with state-specific laws and rules, but states must also follow the same guidelines established by federal law. Any answer given on a claim raising a question regarding a person's eligibility must be fully investigated before benefits may be paid; this is referred to as the adjudication process.
Adjudication is the investigation and resolution of eligibility issues raised on unemployment insurance claims. Adjudication is a manual process that requires interested parties be provided due notice to respond to the eligibility issue. Eligibility issues arise from several places including the initial claim, weekly claim, employer contact, claimant contact, and tips from the public. Under normal conditions, adjudication typically takes 21 days to process. Approximately 475,100 claimants have been paid over $3.24 billion since March 15.
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