Hawaii COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Not Being Paid!
Change.org Petition
Get Hawaii People Paid! started this petition to Hawaii Department of Labor and 3 others
The United States Government has given Hawai'i an estimated $4 billion in coronavirus relief funding. $1.14 billion is specifically set apart for unemployment benefits (source) but the Hawai'i people has been left in the dark asking "Where is it?"
The State of Hawai'i, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations seem to have dropped the ball on paying this stimulus/benefits to those who were laid off due to COVID-19.
People have been receiving letters regarding their benefits stating:
"There may be eligibility issue(s) related to your claim for benefits that could potentially prevent you from receiving benefits. Log into your account at UICLAIMS.HAWAII.GOV to check on the status of the issue(s)."
However when you try to login you get this: “High Volume. We're sorry. The system is currently experiencing a high volume of requests. Please try again later.”
From what I hear, the website has been down since early March and their phone lines have been busy. My question is, how are people supposed to remedy any issues and file any weekly claims if there is no way to contact them via website or phone?
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Scott Murakami's excuse is: "..they are simply overwhelmed" and Sunday alone "...payment certifications jumped from 1000 to 22,000."
Whether their system is outdated or they just can't handle their jobs, they should have been prepared for this nevertheless.
The Hawai'i people should have the right to take legal action against the Department of Labor. When people don't receive benefits it doesn't only affect the individual, it affects their entire family and well-being. It is something that shouldn't be taken lightly especially while living in a pandemic.
Director Murakami thinks a simple apology is good enough saying "it may not come right away and I apologize again for that" but we are tired of our State making fools of themselves then thinking a simple apology is good enough. We need to see something done NOW!
I can't express enough how UNFAIR this is for people who lost their jobs because of COVID-19. They were not laid off from failing to do their jobs, they were thrown into this situation because of this virus. This is why the U.S. Government sent Hawai'i billions to assist them. It is unethical and completely wrong for Hawai'i to FAIL on paying these individuals.
The State of Hawai'i, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, The Hawai'i Legislature and our Governor Ige needs to get on this ASAP!
THIS IS NOW AN ONLINE PROTEST!!! WE HAVE OVER 200,000 COVID-19 JOBLESS PEOPLE, WE NEED EQUALLY OR MORE SIGNATURES TO OPEN THE EARS OF OUR LEADERS TO HEAR OUR VOICE! GET THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS PAID NOW!!
PLEASE SHARE THIS NOW! www.gethawaiipaid.org
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