When Shannon and Joseph Brasfield said, “for better or worse,” they didn’t imagine the worst would be the COVID-19 pandemic.The Louisville couple says they’re both experiencing job loss and financial strains due to the pandemic. But, for the past four months, an added stressor has been Shannon not receiving her unemployment insurance benefits, which will total $4,000.“They keep saying my claim’s under investigation”, she said. “No one’s called me back. It’s 18 weeks as of yesterday.”She’s one of over 85,000 Kentuckians who are experiencing unresolved unemployment claims. Like many, Shannon says her patience is being tested. Her in-person appointments have been canceled and rescheduled, she was promised that she’d receive a call from a representative and heard nothing for weeks, and when she emailed both the general Office of Unemployment and its director, she was told she’d get put on a waiting list.“I got two letters. One says I’m disqualified and the other says I’m eligible. So, I don’t know what I am,” she said.Right now, the Brasfields are barely surviving off one source of income: Joseph’s unemployment, which comes to $335 a week.When he lost his assembly plant job in Indiana in August, he received a $9,000 severance package, which has run out. The couple has also depleted their checking and savings accounts, and are now relying heavily on Shannon’s backlogged claims to pay bills they’re already behind on.“We’ve lost our insurance and I have medication”, said Shannon. “In addition to the mortgage, car payments, and much less, Christmas is coming.”As Shannon expressed her frustration with not being able to navigate the unemployment system, she says if the filing process was simple, and if she could speak directly with a real person rather than an automated caller, her issues can likely be resolved.Gov. Andy Beshear and Labor Cabinet officials have pointed to a high volume of applications as the reason for the backlog.Joseph says he appreciates the governor’s words, but he would like action.“Andy Beshear says he understands that the system is having problems, well do something about it”, he said. “Pay these people their money. What if you just up and lost your job and couldn’t pay your mortgage?”Since the pandemic began, there have been approximately 1.3 million claims filed in Kentucky for unemployment insurance.
When Shannon and Joseph Brasfield said, “for better or worse,” they didn’t imagine the worst would be the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Louisville couple says they’re both experiencing job loss and financial strains due to the pandemic. But, for the past four months, an added stressor has been Shannon not receiving her unemployment insurance benefits, which will total $4,000.
“They keep saying my claim’s under investigation”, she said….
Read More: Local woman expresses frustration navigating unemployment system