(CBS NY) – Unemployment remains a major issue across the country. Many New York and New Jersey residents are losing hope, and are out of cash. Adam D’Aleo has listened to the New York Department of Labor’s “we are experiencing high call volume” recording more times than he can count.
“It’s embarrassing, I remember it,” D’Aleo said. When he was laid off at the beginning of April, he filed for unemployment benefits online. Every time he logs in, he gets this notice: “To complete the claim, call the claims center.”
“It’s like calling into a radio station for, like, the 100th ticket, to be the 100th caller to get that ticket to see the concert. That’s what it is when you’re calling into the New York State Department of Labor,” D’Aleo told CBS2’s Jenna DeAngelis. He went on Twitter and got a response from the Department of Labor telling him he was put on a callback list.
“Yes, I’m waiting for this call. but I don’t even know how this call is going to go, which is also another hurdle within itself that I’m nervous for,” D’Aleo said. Meanwhile, he’s looking for a new job. He’s among 1.4 million New Yorkers who have filed for unemployment benefits in six weeks. FULL REPORT