Problems with unemployment system affecting people across Miami Valley

Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. John Husted admitted Thursday that there are problems with Ohio’s unemployment system that need to be fixed.

These problems are having a direct impact on people living in the Miami Valley who are are now unable to pay bills and are living paycheck to paycheck.

Juliana Walker, who lives in Dayton, stated she has tried contacting the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for help but has been unsuccessful in reaching anyone.

“When you try to call through, they tell you they’re too busy and to call back later. You can’t get a person on the phone. Then if you try to do the online chat, it says chat busy. There’s nobody to get ahold of,” Walker said.

Walker stated she relies on unemployment to get by, but has not received any help since December.

“I haven’t been able to pay my rent for January, I haven’t been able to pay my electricity, my gas, my water. I am going without basic necessities because I don’t have it. I have one roll of toilet paper left,” Walker said.

DeWine said that the problems are a result of not having enough people to handle the workload, but the state is working to fix the issues.

“I believe when this started, we had somewhere in the neighborhood of 430 something people working. I don’t have the exact figures, but I think we are around 1,800 now. We intend to be around 2,500 by March,” DeWine said.

Lt. Gov. Husted said that the state is also working on upgrading its computer system, but it is not expected to be complete until the end of the year.

“I know they are going to get it figured out, and I know they are going to get us the money, but the point is by the time we get it, and you pay everything you owe, and you pay all the late fees, there’s nothing left. So then what?” Walker said.

Cox Media Group