Delays in RI for unemployment checks

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Out-of-work Rhode Islanders are waiting longer than usual to start receiving unemployment benefits.

State Sen. John Tassoni Jr. said frustrated benefit seekers have contacted him to report delays for claims filed by phone through the state's call center.

People who have lost jobs can file claims by phone or on the Internet, but a glut of new claims have caused online forms to take longer than usual to get processed.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Labor and Training told The Providence Journal that it's taking an extra week or longer to process online forms.

The state's unemployment rate in September was 8.8 percent, the highest rate in the nation.

If you have any questions regarding unemployment delays you can email: uihelp@dlt.ri.gov