Illinois residents who want to register for unemployment benefits have been assigned times and days of the week to file based on the first letter of their last names. | Morguefile
Illinois residents who want to register for unemployment benefits have been assigned times and days of the week to file based on the first letter of their last names. | Morguefile
Illinois residents who need to make an unemployment benefits claim now must file their claims online or by phone on days and at times based on the first letter of their last name.
The Department of Employment Security told Capitol News Illinois that an unprecedented volume of claims created the need for an alphabetized schedule for filing. Colorado and New York adopted a similar system to manage high call volumes and the increase in web traffic. States have seen unemployment claims rise dramatically following COVID-19 closure orders.
If one's last name begins with the letters A through M, they can file online claims Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursday from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Calls can be made Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
State residents whose last names begin with the letters N through Z can file online on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Calls can be made Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
If someone is unable to register claims on the designated days, filing online is available on Saturdays or calls can be made on Fridays.
In the first three weeks of March, there were 130,000 claims filed which were approximately 400% higher than the same time last year, Capitol News Illinois reported. In the week ending March 21, claims rose 1,400% compared to the same time period in 2019.
Residents who have any questions visit the department’s website.
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