The Georgia Unemployment Benefits System Is A Mess

Those of you used to dealing with government agencies won’t be surprised to hear the unemployment benefits system is a complete mess.  The benefits application process is almost entirely manual and it seems like the Georgia Department of Labor did everything possible to make the process as drawn out and confusing as possible.  Seriously, it had to have taken some serious effort to make things so difficult.

Have You Seen That New Michael Jackson Video?

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the DOL career center was that everything looks as if it came from the 80’s.  Remember those library computer systems where you typed the number of your selection or pressed the purple key to go to the next page?  They still have those in the DOL.  They have the system running on relatively new (and expensive i.e. wasteful) Dell small-form desktops for some reason, but the software package itself definitely dates from the 80’s.

Anyway, the state of Georgia only allows you to sign up for unemployment benefits at certain times throughout the work day (times which aren’t mentioned on the website anywhere, but whatever).  When you get there, they take you to a back room in a large group and walk you through how to fill out the initial application forms even though they are simple forms and directions are clearly marked.  Then, they take you to a computer hooked up to the internet to have you fill out an online questionaire to determine the size of your weekly benefit check. 

Now I know what you’re thinking.  Why couldn’t I just skip the career center and do the entire process at home, including filling out the initial application?  After all, they already had all the relevant information from my employer since they are required to file as well.  I have no idea, but you can’t.  You have to go in to the career center.

Wait, So How Much Do I Get And When?

Finding out how much your weekly unemployment benefit will be and when it starts is anybody’s guess.  The DOL workers will tell you one thing.  Then, you’ll get five different official Department of Labor letters with the amount, each listing a different number.  Don’t bother calling to find out which is correct.  They won’t know.  Just wait for your first check to arrive or do the calculation yourself.  In Georgia, for instance, you get approximately one-quarter of your weekly pay up to a maximum of $330 per week.  Other states may differ so be sure to look up your own Department of Labor to get the specifics.

Is This The Best Our Tax Dollars Can Do?

When I left, I couldn’t help but think I could have improved service and efficiency ten times over at half the cost.  Well, at least I get unemployment benefits.  I think.  Not exactly sure about that one, either.