Grand Rapids Reporter

A state representative is calling on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to take action to address long waiting times and other problems when it comes to residents filing for unemployment. 

Rep. Linda Afendoulis (R-Grand Rapids Township) made her comments on April 3 as unemployment claims in Michigan and nationwide have dramatically increased because of COVID-19's financial devastation on businesses large and small in all sectors. 

“I can’t understand how our governor [Gretchen Whitmer], who should be making the people of  Michigan her top priority, has time to go on CNN and other national outlets when she has yet to address this major problem in her own state,” Afendoulis said, in a statement posted to the Michigan House Republicans page. “I understand that these are unprecedented times, but Gov. Gretchen Whitmer should have realized, and prepared for, the huge influx of unemployment claims when she closed businesses. Instead, she was caught flat-footed. The people deserve answers immediately so they can properly file claims.

Realizing the system is overwhelmed, state officials are asking residents to be patient as they attempt to make their claims. According to a Detroit Free Press article reposted by Governing.com, claims for the week ending March 28 topped 311,000, more than double the 128,000 from the week before. The state labor department reported it is looking to hire 100 more workers to help process the influx of claims. 

“Regardless of how any of us feel about the actions she’s taking to flatten the curve of infections, she can’t ignore the fact that people need to provide food for their families and pay rent to keep a roof over their heads," Afendoulis said. "This should have been well-thought-out, considering the system was going to be used more than ever. She should have had a plan.”

Though Michiganders can file for unemployment assistance online at any time, people are encountering problems when the system glitches or they have a question. Kathy Mooradian was able to log on and begin filing, but something went wrong with the automated system and it prompted her to call to complete her claim, the USA Today reported on April 2. Sometimes the call could not be completed; other times the line was too busy to get through. When she did finally make a connection and select option 1, the system hung up on her.

The state has extended unemployment coverage to include self-employed workers, independent contractors, freelancers and people who get paid by the job.