The Georgia Department of Labor is taking steps to make it easier for workers to access unemployment services.
The department is waiving any in-person requirements for the services it provides, including filing an unemployment claim without reporting to a career center.
“In an effort to simplify this process for the citizens of Georgia, the GDOL has worked to provide viable options for those in need of unemployment support,” Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said.“We are in uncharted territory regarding unemployment during this time of crisis, but this agency is working diligently to provide alternative solutions for workforce challenges.”
Keep checking our website https://t.co/HhpH7txGFG for updates on filing for unemployment, mandatory filing by employers for partial claims, and reemployment services. pic.twitter.com/DCTLjEbQ69— GA Dept. of Labor (@GeorgiaDOL) March 17, 2020
Kersha Cartwright, the director of communications for GDOL, said the goal is to make it easier for people to receive the benefits they need.
“We want to make sure that people are paid,” Cartwright said. “In order for folks to adhere to those rules about social distancing, we want to make sure that we do all of this online as quickly as possible.”
The department is also mandating that employers file partial claims on behalf of temporarily laid off workers, which speeds up the process.
LINK: GDOL Unemployement Insurance Form
Employers that do not comply with the new rule will be ordered to repay GDOL for the full amount of unemployment insurance paid to the employee.
Georgia’s unemployment rate currently sits at 3.1%, but that number will likely increase as the economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus continues.
Copyright 2020 Georgia Public Broadcasting
