The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced last week that it has issued over $1.7 billion in combined state and federal unemployment benefits in the past seven weeks. Since the middle of March (week ending March 21, 2020), GDOL has processed 1,597,593 regular initial unemployment claims. Of these claims, 778,330 were valid with enough earned wages to receive benefits and 518,000 Georgians (84 percent of all those filing for unemployment) have already received their first payment.
“Over half a million Georgians have received a payment from the Georgia Department of Labor,” said GDOL Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “We have been enhancing our current systems and creating new ones to make sure every eligible applicant receives their UI benefits as quickly as possible.”
Those individuals with invalid or denied claims that could potentially be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) began to see payments last week totaling over $4 million. This includes individuals who are self-employed, gig workers, 1099 independent contractors, employees of churches, employees of non-profits, or those with limited work history who do not qualify for state unemployment benefits. As of last week, 83,583 PUA applications were processed and are eligible for payment (82 percent of all PUA claims received). 89 percent of the processed claims have either been paid or are eligible to be paid. Over 34,000 applications have been processed, but applicants have not requested payments. In order to receive benefits, applicants must request payments for each eligible week. Applicants are continuing to be identified as potential PUA recipients when deemed ineligible for state benefits and directed to apply for federal benefits.
Last week, GDOL processed 228,352 claims. Of the weekly total, 171,747 were employer filed claims, seventy five percent of all claims. In the past seven weeks, of all claims determined to be eligible, approximately 576,382 were employer filed partial claims. The number of initial unemployment claims filed throughout the United States was 3.1 million last week, a decrease of 677,000 from the previous week.
The sectors with the most initial claims in the past seven weeks included Accommodation and Food Services, 446,437, Health Care and Social Assistance, 183,328, Retail Trade, 182,663, Administrative and Support Services, 130,039, and Manufacturing, 122,772.
Last week, the GDOL issued regular weekly UI benefits totaling $176,354,763, up $21 million over the previous week. Over the last seven weeks, over $620 million has been paid in regular UI benefits.
In addition, the total federal funds issued for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, or FPUC, totaled over $400 million last week. Over the past seven weeks, the GDOL has issued over $1.1 billion in federal funds. FPUS provides an additional $600 weekly payment to any individual eligible for any of the unemployment compensation programs – state and federal.
As of 5/02/2020, the Georgia Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Balance was $2,126,662,546, up $34 million, from the previous week’s balance. This upward tick was attributed to tax revenue collections of $165 million deposited on April 30, 2020 outpacing the benefit payments for the week.
At this time, the GDOL career centers are remaining closed to the public. All online services are still available as the staff continues to answer phones, return emails, and assist applicants. The GDOL will open offices to the public as soon as social distancing can be effectively implemented to protect both staff and customers.
The GDOL is also continuing to work with employers to get Georgians back to work. Employers have been contacting the GDOL with job opportunities that are critical during this crisis – some in the workplace and others that can be done from home. Today, over 100,000 jobs are listed online at www.EmployGeorgia.com for Georgians to access. The GDOL offers online resources for finding a job, building a resume, and assisting with other reemployment needs.
Information on filing an unemployment claim, details on how employers can file partial claims, and resources for other reemployment assistance can be found on the agency’s webpage.
Tamara
May 13, 2020 at 1:24 pm
Then where is my husbands back pay? His employer filed for him, he got approved on April 21st and no payments. I wouldn’t be bragging about how much you “did” so far because there are a lot of people who still didn’t get it who should and NEED it. All my husband co workers are getting it except him, I call discrimination is what it is. There is no reason for it. We have a 5 year old and we need to pay our bills. I was messaged through Facebook we were on a list to get a call from the Georgia dept of labor. A week has gone by and surprise, no call. This is unexceptable. Someone reading this if you can please help.
Thomas
May 15, 2020 at 3:32 pm
I received my first payment last week. So I started making payment arrangements thinking everything’s a go, but no payment this week. I have people looking at me side ways thinking I’m trying to bilk them. I have no understanding of when to expect payments to start being consistent. I’ve sent an email to the put email address and no response.
Susan
May 21, 2020 at 9:12 am
I completely agree! I got that initial payment on 5/6 and thought ok great I’ll @ least be able to count on this bi weekly it looks like because it was a double payment. This would be two weeks and nothing. I’ve certified my weekly thing 3 times now. I did notice for gig workers they’ve changed the format on that second page you click on. It’s more compact. Easier to navigate. Still I’ve submitted my weekly thing THREE times for this prior week and nothing! I’ve got my initial letter stating I was eligible for a certain amount plus the 600 for 4/4 thru the end of July. I’ve asked numerous times how you claim those prior weeks and NO ONE answers specific questions. All they do is throw out generalizations over and over. I look to see what other states are telling their people and their state labor commissioners are very specific and positive. All ours has done is throw out scenarios concerning fraud. Not hopeful whatsoever assuring us we’ll get the help needed whatsoever. So fed up with this guy. He’s getting by with the least he can
Leon Gray
May 26, 2020 at 6:39 am
Time to change. I told y’all back in 2011. Go to the state capital. Demand Unemployment benefits. They are keeping Georgia Department of Labor offices closed because of the backlash. Not because of the virus.
Anthony k Bryant jr.
June 23, 2020 at 8:01 pm
Amen…It’s been 12 weeks and nothing
Shameka
May 29, 2020 at 8:02 pm
I applied in March and never received any payments yet, I’ve been calling and emailing and can’t get thru. This is sad
Adlena Austin-DeFrank
June 8, 2020 at 2:49 pm
Me too!
Shameka
May 29, 2020 at 8:08 pm
I applied in March and never received any payments yet, I’ve been calling and emailing and can’t get thru. I’ve even went to see if the office was open. My status is saying that no payment summary available. I haven’t received not one payment this is really sad.
George
May 29, 2020 at 9:25 pm
I file on 4/ 5/20 and was approved on 4/21/20 and as of 5/29/20 I have not received anything. Can’t get any responses by email. Staying on hold for hours only to be cut off and no return calls. Credit cards are max out and overdue. Yet i hear all the claims process last week. If there’s a problem how would one ever know?? Poor follow ups.
Shanekia J
June 6, 2020 at 8:37 pm
I don’t know what’s going on I was receiving my payment but nothing this week and I have rent to pay and they cut my food stamps and Medicaid off because of unemployment so now I have to buy food . I want to go back to work this is not working. People need help other states helping their people with food , rent assistance and etc . Meanwhile we Georgians who been working to provide for our families that’s in need can’t get no help.
M. Pickels
June 11, 2020 at 11:13 am
I was getting payments but last week nothing.i too plan my bills on this. Week June 5. Not a thing called number every day balance same as week before. Gov. Kemp needs to get real
Anthony k Bryant jr.
June 23, 2020 at 8:05 pm
🤣🤣 That’s why I didn’t vote for him he looks untrustworthy
Nora Wade
May 14, 2020 at 6:45 pm
Please don’t make the GA DOL or Governor Kemp sound like the hero of this story. If you go to the GA DOL FaceBook and Twitter Feeds you will see comment after comment of people in all situations that are not receiving unemployment payments. Many have been approved, yet still aren’t receiving payments. Others, like myself are self-employed with no other resources. Yet, the 21 days to process an unemployment claim has long since passed. The career centers are not open and no phone calls are being answered, and voicemails and emails are ignored. And, I personally have reported and made claims for payment each week since April 27th. Yet, when I go to check the status of my claim, I am told that my SSN isn’t recognized.
I went back and scrolled through Governor Kemps twitter feed to find that he has no mentioned unemployment in almost a month, and even then it was in relation to POTUS and the Cares Act. And as a business owner with no employees, I didn’t qualify for the PPP and other loans, so unemployment was my only hope. I have been without income for over 2 months and I am getting further behind every day. So not only am I probably going to have to shut my doors, I am now at risk for losing everything.
Also, regarding the comment about claiming payments, maybe the GA DOL should do some damage control. I say this because if this is truly what is stopping some people from getting their payments, then they need to look at how confusing it is to be told that reporting requirements are waived.
Susan
May 21, 2020 at 9:20 am
I agree! It’s time to get a protest going with the media involved outside the state DOL. this is beginning to sound fraudulent on the states part honestly. I’m stunned they can’t open the offices yet anyone else? You mean to tell me they can’t have staggered seating, staggered lines and shields in front of the counters or workers? Seriously?? Grocery stores open with crowds galore and they can’t stagger claimants?? I’m calling BS on this. Other DOL commissioners in every single state it seems are giving out lots more detailed info to their state than ours. Ours is throwing out these generic copy and paste answers to anything asked of him. Check out what they’re telling the citizens of Pennsylvania. It was so specific about system crashes, things you can do, exactly when the money is coming, on and on
Adlena Austin-DeFrank
June 8, 2020 at 2:53 pm
I agree a protest is necessary.
Anthony k Bryant jr.
June 23, 2020 at 8:07 pm
Yes yes I’m with you
cherie miller
May 15, 2020 at 12:39 am
I totally agree. I was approved 2 months ago. I received my card. I was so relieved. I could pay rent, my phone, and car. Nope. It was only$6.00. my paper from the state said I was approved for over$100. When I check my status claim. It really only took$6.00 from the whole total. Of course no one answers. I’ve done everything. Now I’m about to have to pack and live in my car. I can only imagine what other people are going thru with children. Something needs to happen. Of all the money their bragging about giving people to help. I dunno what they thought. It’s 2020. Not 1940 $6.00 Dosent help.
Darwaine Davis
May 17, 2020 at 12:21 pm
It makes No Since Too Give someone One Check When There Approved. Then Stop Never Respond Too Why no correspondence letter No communication at All. It’s Going On two months Now. And I’m on a Employer File And There’s 100 staffed 97 of Them Are Being paid weekly on The Same File. So I’m Ignored Every week why is my name Not apparent it’s right in front of Them…
Jeff Edmonston
May 18, 2020 at 12:18 pm
I’ve been unemployed for 2 months and behind on rent car payment insurance I have a one-year-old and another one on the way I received one payment and everything else stopped I’ve been out of work for two months I’m about to begin work again and I can put gas in my car to go to work and I cannot get ahold of anybody at any office in the Georgia Department of Labor it’s very sad to see it come to this and I have to come post on a news article to try to find information because I’m desperate upset I’m becoming very stressed with no communication between Dol
Zakiya
May 18, 2020 at 2:02 pm
It’s amazing how you all can sit and say what you’ve done but yet in all actuality you’re not doing enough. There are people still in need people who have families to take care of and bills to pay just like the rest of the world. But because it’s not you all in the situation you’re not as hands on or urgent enough to get everyone processed and done especially people who have been waiting weeks and weeks for their FIRST payment. I myself have requested seven weeks of Unemployment payment and have yet to see a penny. Ive called. Ive left messages I have emailed. I have called the commissioner I have also emailed him and yet everything still goes unanswered. The people grow tired and fear the loss of very valuable things. But yal dont hear anybody though.
Charles McMillan
May 18, 2020 at 5:49 pm
Well I have been waiting 5 weeks for unemployment compensation. I don’t know what to do to get it. I can see I’m on their website. My employer says that all the other furloughed people at our company have received it. I try to call it asks to leave a message and no one calls back. I go to the office and it’s closed teleworking. How about doing by appointment like the driver services is! I will get my compensation as I have savings to make it until the end and will hire an attorney to get it at the end! I Qualify for the max Georgia payment and the federal. I guess I’ll wait until they open their offices but I will get what I’m entitled too!
Glamuary
June 1, 2020 at 10:00 pm
i’ve been waiting since march 29th
im owed $2970
i got one call from an agent that basically read what i could see myself on the ga dol site. i asked when i’d get my money and he said it’s not his dept.
i emailed. i was told i’d be contacted.
i dont need to be contacted. i need them to push the button so i can receive benefits.
the number i found on fb is now disconnected. the 800#s ring busy.
butler4ga is no longer answering dm’s or tweets.
this is a complete cluster#
this is a complete cluster.
Rhonda
June 10, 2020 at 9:57 am
Owed for 11 weeks now. Payment request have been made for every week of PUA for those self employed, every tax return, proof of wages etc….was submitted and recieved and processed on May 6the (per email I recieved).
No payments recieved, no phone calls or emails returned. Owed almost $10,000 as of this week.
Why are DOL offices closed to public? Why is our Governor ignoring this issue? Why is the Labor Commissioner’s office ignoring phone calls & emails?
Why did our state government shut down independent businesses, withhold federal emergency aid to the business owners, then LIE to the Federal government and media by stating THE STATE OF GA IS OPEN?
THE STATE OFFICES ARE CLOSED, SO WHAT EXACTLY IS OPEN IN GA? Only the few independent businesses that survived long enough to reopen, and corporate owned businesses (which pay off our elected officials). Those who pay off the politicians never shut down to start with….you used the pandemic to take away their competition and get rid of private owned businesses.
Kemp is incompetent and I will work on the campaign for whomever runs against him. Die hard Republican that regrets voting for KEMP….
I hope and pray the Atlanta City Mayor runs for Governor against Kemp. She will have my vote and I will support her campaign any way I can.
Kjones
May 20, 2020 at 6:50 am
This is absolutely horrible I’ve received one single payment then nothing for weeks. The PUA approved me and one check then nothing I’m the sole provider of three. My business in next to zero and I’ve received no reply emails, calls, this is terrible. People are losing their homes, cars, even life insurance. I thought Georgia was better than this. Horrible
Susan
May 21, 2020 at 9:26 am
Me also I’m a gig worker and received that one initial payment for 2 weeks and though yes but now nothing this go round. I’ve done the claiming of the prior week three times now and it’s still stating below my initial payout record no eligibility found or something similar. It’s maddening. I’m stunned they can’t open the offices with shields and staggered appts but yet you can go eat in a Longhorn. They just don’t want to fool with hiring more employees to handle the load. Oh wait. I thought it was all about hiring and getting folks back to work?
Nicholas Jackson
May 24, 2020 at 11:21 am
So I was deemed eligible for PUA benefits on 04/30/2020 and thought great I will be getting some cash inflow soon. Wrong. Week after week I certify and still no money. I just happened to down load the Child Support app and Hey my child support is being paid but I’m not getting paid. WTH ????
Leon Gray
May 26, 2020 at 6:53 am
Are we gonna keep laying in bed Cyber complaining about our DOL or actually get up, go out and demand the money. There is power in numbers. This is a RED state y’all. Turn things around by being an activist. Butler has to go. Very shady and he knows it. The department claims they had covid cases in the building. So did Walmart. They are essential. A state department That has the money for its people is essential too. Open your doors right now!
Catrina
May 29, 2020 at 10:52 am
I would love to protest cause we all promised this money.
Adlena Austin-DeFrank
June 8, 2020 at 3:01 pm
When is the protest. Im there. I think the state has misappropriated funds and trying to cover their behinds. They cant pay everyone so they skip people and hope they can catch up over time or get out of payments people give up on. Kemp is an idiot. He pretended to care about Georgians paying for food and bills then he dropped off. Show boating is all he did. He lied about Covid 19#’s. What makes u think he isn’t lying about everything else?
Thomas
May 28, 2020 at 5:37 pm
I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one in this predicament!! I received a payment on May 6th for 1,200 ( two installments of 500.00 and two for 100.00) through the GA DOL (pua) .. I have gone in and certified for each week after that , and still I haven’t received anything else… this is beyond ridiculous. They have the money!!!! That was the point of the 3 Trillion dollar CARES act… I don’t understand what the hold up is…
debra
May 29, 2020 at 12:41 pm
KEMP DOESNT CARE GEORGIA IS THE WORST STATE IN THE UNION UNLESS YOU ARE RICH BUT CYBER COMPLAINING IS USELESS POWERLESS SCARED GEORGIAN CITIZENS
Callista
June 1, 2020 at 1:34 pm
We need help NOW! My husband filed over a month ago and we haven’t received anything! We’ve tried calling and email. NOTHING! We need help NOW!
Wendy
June 2, 2020 at 1:29 pm
I was furloughed on April 29th and my employer has filed all claims for me through the department of labor. I have not received any benefits nor a letter. I have left numerous messages and noone will return my call. The GDL website doesn’t tell me anything. I am very frustrated. I have no idea about who to speak to.
Adlena Austin-DeFrank
June 8, 2020 at 3:04 pm
They are misappropriating funds and tryingvto cover their butts. Lets demand our money in protest at the capital! Not a dime have they paid me yet. Said i will get $149/wk and $600/wk since 02/02/2020 and NOT A DIME!
Samantha
June 12, 2020 at 9:51 am
My employer filed for me on march 14 I received 2 weeks of unemployment an then my employer quit reclaiming my weekly benefits an it tells me I’m not authorized to claim them an In cant file another claim
JL
June 17, 2020 at 9:34 am
I have been approved since February 23rd, yet to se a payment. No way to speak or contact.
Yes, I have done everything asked, and claimed every week still nothing. Yet others I speak to have received, is it because I’m a minority? Does come to mind.
Jennifer Hurley
June 18, 2020 at 7:03 pm
I am so glad its not just me!!! 8 Weeks since I got a cards and 1 $111.00 payment…I have called every bussiness day and left 2 messages, no response and emailed almost every day, no response!! DONT BRAG GEORGIA, YOU ARENT GETTING THE JOB DONE!!!!!!!!!! I have checked, all fellow employees are receiving money plus extra 600 per week. So NO CREDIT FOR DATA ENTRY ONLY!!!! ANSWER THE PHONE OR CALL BACK, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!! ILL LOSE MY HOME SOON< SO PLEASE DONT PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK KEMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yahne
June 21, 2020 at 12:57 am
I am about to lose everything my house, my car and I do not have enough food to maintain any longer now, Unbeknownst to me I would be approved on 05/09/2020 and my effective date is 02/23/2020 and I would not have received a payment in all of this time. I have been looking for employment consistently online and the local job connection as well without a prospect or offer. My heart is breaking for not only myself but for all Americans that plight is similar to mine. It does not matter whether we are Republicans or Democrats, It does not matter our Race, Sex, Religion nor Poor or Middle Class, We are all facing similar income hardship at this time. We as Americans are looking for our Government to be committed to helping us out temporary until we are able to bounce back to somewhat of what has been lost. To all that reads this we will rise and be stronger because we are a Blessed Country.There is two thing I would like say to our Politicians in Georgia ” Help us please ” and the other is ” If you do not remember us Now, we will remember you later ” (ELECTION TIME) God Bless you all…
Flenard
June 22, 2020 at 11:32 am
Lies! All lies! No ones retuns any calls or emails. Account has been approved! No money yet! Nothing
Susan Blake
June 24, 2020 at 3:57 am
14 weeks for me and same situation as stated by all other comments. Shame GDOL for keeping offices closed and families hurting.
Trista Bordeaux
June 24, 2020 at 7:40 am
Approved for 149.00 a week for 2 weeks plus the cares act payment for 1 week, yet still have not seen either payment much less not even received the debit card through unemployment. Not sure what else to do at this point.
Jean
July 6, 2020 at 1:54 pm
I am in the same boat, I check the Certify box each week no response, no money in my account. I am the sole provider for my family. My husband don’t have any money coming in but his SSI. This is terrible bills are piling up and no money to pay them. We have no money what a shame that the Georgians are not being treated right! The Unemployment is behind in payments you can’t reach no one and the phones are busy. I wish I did not have to depend on this check or deal with this unprofessional system!