Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler says the good news, unemployment claims have dropped dramatically from the pandemic highs and employees within the DOL are starting to move back to their original positions. During the pandemic, people were pulled from almost every department to process unemployment claims.

He says there is still one area flooded with cases – appeals. These are people denied benefits or employers who are denying the eligibility of a former worker requesting funds. Butler says the pandemic expanded the list of people able to access unemployment. Now that those programs are over, there’s a lot of confusion when people find out they no longer qualify.

Butler says he’s doubled the number of workers processing appeals, still, he says an appeal being heard today was likely filed months ago.

“We’re backed up just like the judicial system is right now,” Butler said explaining how an appeals hearing is much like a court case with evidence and testimony.

WXIA