KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It's another week of waiting for many unemployed Kansans.
Many Department of Labor claimants told 41 Action News the department still is having the same problems it's had for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite Gov. Laura Kelly promising changes two weeks ago.
Independence resident Doug Geniesse said he has worked as a construction manager for 40 years, but all construction job opportunities disappeared at the start of the pandemic. He has been waiting on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance payments, also known as PUA, for months.
"They reviewed my application and came back saying you'll be eligible for a certain amount," Geniesse said. "I submit claims every week and to date I haven't heard any results, and I don't see any money coming into our account."
Geniesse said it's frustrating not to receive assistance he qualifies for when he has paid the state property and sales taxes for years.
"When you're in need, you expect them to turn around and acknowledge that you need help now and they're just not doing that," Geniesse said.
Geniesse said he's so fed up with the department that he is considering moving.
"If you're not supporting me, then I'll have to leave," Geniesse said.
Other claimants told 41 Action News things haven't improved since Kelly announced she was taking immediate action at the department. 41 Action News has been told that payments still are late or inaccurate, and some errors have yet to be resolved, such as the clawback issue from two weeks ago.
Baldwin City resident Khat Hopkinson said she ultimately wants better communication.
Hopkinson said she received a letter after applying that stated she was eligible for unemployment, but she has yet to receive any payments.
"My concern now is that even if they back file, that $600 a month is federal money, if that money runs out it's not like I'm going to be able to get that money," Hopkinson said.
The future of the $600 FPUC weekly payment is still up in the air. A proposal to extend the payment was part of the HEROES Act, which passed through the House of Representatives, but was not taken up by the Senate.
41 Action News reached out to the Kansas Department of Labor about these issues but has not yet received a response.
