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Software Upgrade May Cause Week Delay In Unemployment Insurance Processing

Jan. 2, 2004
No. 04-26


JUNEAU – Software upgrades to state labor department computers may delay processing of unemployment insurance claim checks for up to a week later this month.

Immediately after processing benefit checks on Wednesday, January 14, technicians will begin installing major software improvements. Payment processing is expected to resume within 24 hours after Monday, January 19.

The upgrades were announced by Chief of Unemployment Insurance Bill Kramer of the Division of Employment Security in the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. He said longer telephone hold times might affect applications for unemployment insurance benefits and employers placing job orders or seeking unemployment tax information.

“With our production systems down for six days in January, we anticipate some extra phone calls,” Kramer said. “Last January we received more than 38,000 incoming phone calls regarding benefit claims. The production down time coupled with the extra high call volume may cause some delays on the phones.”

Labor Commissioner Greg O’Claray called the computer upgrades “an immediate, substantial improvement” for benefit applicants and employers. “However,” he added, “delays can be very frustrating, so we’re insisting that the system upgrades be installed quickly.”

Kramer said the department began mailing information notices on Wednesday, December 31 to unemployment insurance applicants who may be affected by the system changes. Persons eligible for benefits are encouraged to direct questions to the Alaska Unemployment Insurance Call Centers in Anchorage, 907.269.4700; Fairbanks, 907.451.2871 or Juneau, 907.465.5552. Other Alaska areas are available toll-free at 1.888.252.2557.

Kramer provided two toll-free numbers for employers with unemployment insurance tax questions to call, 1.888.448.2937 or 1.888.448.3527. Information is also available on the labor department website at labor.alaska.gov/estax/home.htm .

 

News Media Contacts:
Bill Kramer, Division of Employment Security, 907.465.5927 or
Joe Holbert, Special Assistant/Communications, 907.465.5673

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