Louisiana Unemployment Claims
Louisiana Unemployment Claims Update - Hurricane Gustav
Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) has power and networking restored to process unemployment benefit payments. Claims submitted before the storm will be processed automatically. LWC urges everyone with continued claims to use the Easy Call system or the web site.
In addition, there is a phone center available (and you can file online) for new claims. Here's information on how to file a new claim for unemployment.
Update September 5, 2008:
Louisiana Unemployment Claims - Hurricane Gustav
Governor Jindal signed an executive order today to suspend certain procedures for unemployment claims. In addition, Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available for victims of Hurricane Gustav.
Check with the Louisiana Department of Labor, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Emergency.Lousiana.gov or call the Louisiana Workforce Commission at 1-866-783-5567 for more information.
Comments
I want to know why it is taking so long to get my husbands unemployment?? He filed in January of this year and still nothing.. Is it because of Katrina?? I think that whomever is doing the processing claims needs to focus more on the locals here and give them a chance.. we have bills to pay just like everyone else..
I have been through a nightmare with the Louisiana Unemployment commission,I filed My claim months back,when they finally issued my back pay and first payment,I still recieved NOTHING!!!!!!!!!,on my payment card,when I call the ui center its one run around after the other,they tell You”Oh Sir it’s gonna be two or three bussiness days before it gets posted,so when that time is up what other excuses am I gonna here from people that HAVE a PAYCHECK!,what is it gonna take to get People to do their job,If they can’t do it,the ui center should not put things in writing gaurenteeing one thing and not doing anything!
I am having issues as well. My payment processed continues to be $0 every week. When I try to reach a representative via the UI number, I’m told that the call volume is too high and that my call will not be answered. I’ve sent an email, but so far there has been no response.
Ever since hurricane Gustav, I have been unable to call the telephone numbers to claim my unemployment and also have not been able to go to laworks.net.
since Gustav I can not file or have not received any unrloyment benefits. Why is there no instructions on the phone or internet on what is going on or when it will be resolved
I can not contact UI since Hurricane Gustav…to file my weekly claim. I dail the number, it rings once, then I get a fast busy signal….How can I file for my weekly benefits.
I also try to file my weekly claim. When I called it disconnected me also. I filed the Sunday before the hurricane but never recieved my benefits. What do we have to do?
Just checking to see how to fill for weekly benefits since the hurricane. I filled the Sunday before and have not recieved any payment as of yet. And also I have tried several times to call inthis week but keep getting a busy signal. How do I fill and will I be reimburssed from the previous week.
Since Hurricane Gustav I can’t get through to file for my weekly Unemployment benefits. The phone line dooes not work and the website won’t connect. What do I do?? Will I loose my benefits? HELP !!!
I kept trying to call and file also and still no response what the heck is going on???? I filed the first time in late July and have still never recieved anything… I am really upset and broke….
I have been trying all day also. I filed just as the power went out last Sunday, but I do not know if it posted. I stopped by our local office. They are saying that the power outage in BR is effecting the 18667835567 number and that Cox is effecting the local number.
They said no worries, everyone will still receive benefits, but I am concerned. It seems the state government would explain in a news release why the numbers are not working and what is being done to fix it and approximately how long it will take to fix.
The state government must understand that going through unemployment and then a hurricane is stressful enough. It makes no sense to alarm people more by making them call numbers that are not working. Accurate information concerning the phone problems would be helpful and professional. Everyone deserves this courtesy and it would alleviate so much stress.
Hang in there…
I tried to call today to file my weekly benefits and the phone rang but went to a busy tone. what do i do?i haven’t received benefits but am still calling them in.. what’s going to happen?i haven’t even received anything in the mail as a decision either.i am very worried… and i live in shreveport,la
I am totally outragged by the unemployment office not providing any information pertaining to the unemployment status. I too have been calling trying to get someone on the phone, internet and trying to file my weekly claim. I notice the Governor provided an update eliminating some of the unemployment benefits due to Gustav, he has not mention how the rest of us will be taken care of. I will be calling the Governor’s office this morning, no reply im going to the News forward them to this site to show the rest of the complaints.
i have not received last weeks unemp. and can not call in this weeks… if i dont receive my owed money soon i will be evicted because of rent that was due by the 5th. people need more info. on how to resolve these matters. it may not be a big deal to people that dont depend on this but it is a big deal to those that do!!!!!!
yeah, they are making us worry but it could be worse… and not too bright leaving ur ss# and pin… hahahahaha
GOOD NEWS EVERYONE I JUST CALLED THE GOV OFFICE. THE REASON WHY WE R UNABLE TO CALL IN OUR CLAIM AND INTERNET IS BECAUSE THE BUILDING THAT OPERATES THE CLAIMS HAS BEEN DESTROYED BUT GUSTAV AND THERE AT THIS TIME RELOCATING . WE WILL GET OUR CLAIM MONEY ASAP.
Thank you Connie. Did the Gov Office say WHEN we will be able to ‘file’ claim for w/e 9/6?
Also were there able to say ‘when’ the claim “phone filed” on 8/31 (via phone) would be CREDITED?
It’s one thing to ‘be understanding about the interruption (naturally)’ but another thing to HAVE the ‘plan’ for receiving deposits and filing claims understood…
Thanks Connie –and anyone
who can answer the 2 questions above 1) when can we file w/e 9/6 and when will deposit for w/e 8/30 (phone filed 8/31) be received?
Looks like many on these posts need that information..
thanks…
I have the same questions as are posted above.
# 1 What is the status of the claim made on 8/31 (prior to Gustav) for the w/e 8/30
# 2 HOW can we ‘file’ the current w/e 9/6 ?
Note: Possibly are they going to ‘process’ these weeks and then have a special ‘question session’ via phone later ?
Thanks we’re all verrry anxious about the answers to these questions…
FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD AS SOON AS THEY GET THE CLAIMS OFFICE FUNCTIONAL WITH PHONE SERVICE AT THAT TIME WE WILL BE PAID. I WOULD SAY CALL EVERY HOUR TO SEE IF THERE BACK IN SERVICE.SO WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE LAST WEEK’S CLAIM. “YES” NOT INFORMING US ABOUT THE CLAIMS OFFICE THAT PAYS WAS WAS DESTROYED BUT GUSTAV AND WOULD BE DELAYS IS MESSED-UP
I got through today on my local easy call #. However it won’t let me complete my claim for this week because it is saying I didn’t claim last week. But I did. I called it in the Sunday before the storm. Now it is saying I have to call the 1 866 # and of course I can not get through. Is anyone else having this problem, I don’t know what to do.
I had the same problem where I was being told at the easy call number that I had not filed a claim for the week prior to this one. When I actually had filed. I ended up having to call that same number, 18887835567 over and over and over again, until I finally got through. I was actually put on hold for like 40 minutes before the representative came back to the phone to tell me that she thinks that everything is okay but that I would have to call back tomorrow, when the computer actually downloaded the info to see if I would actually be paid a dollar amount for my benefits.
If it helps anybody, i finally got to file my UI claim online at about 11:50 PM Monday night (the 6th), so hopefully, everyone else will be able to go ahead and file their weekly claims. Still no word on the payouts, I’m still sittin’ pretty at 50 cents in my account, waiting on this money to come in to pay the bills. Thanks for making this so complicated for everyone in the state Jindal!! …Also wtf @ the effin bad grammar by the people in this state. lol….
Did they tell you how you are suppossed to file your claim for this week if it is saying you didn’t file for last week. It won’t let me file for this week since it keeps saying I didn’t file last week when I did. I keep trying the 1 866 # but cannot get through.
I don’t know anything about that, the only advice I can give would be to keep trying the 1-866 #, or try going to your local UI Office, other than that, I have no idea what the problem could be. I file over the internet every week and print out a confirmation page, just in case of a situation like that, unfortunately, you can’t get any kind of confirmation when you do it through the EZ Call.
Has anyone heard anything about when we will be getting our payments?
I was able to file online for we 9/6 yesterday. I first tried to file 8/30 (again). It said that I had already filed we 8/30. I still have no money for 8/30 or 9/6.
got info just now at:
http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Government/Louisiana_Gustav_Monday_Updates_Unemployment_benefits_Deaths___7455.asp
it says that anyone who did file 8/30 before the system went down and anyone now filing 9/6 will be paid by Thursday or Friday.
everyone…..great news our payments should be in the accounts by thru. 09/11/2008…..you should the payment for 08/30/2008 and week ending 09/06/2008…..i need my money too please believe i pay 900 dollar rent this isnt a game….i said my prayers and GOD is in control
Well, I’m somewhat happy to report that I have received one week of payment. I filed for two weeks, and have yet to receive the other half. Well, I guess something is better than nothing. Good news, I guess. At least we know that they are attempting to get everything back in order!!
I have been waiting for my unemployment claim to be processed for 2 months now. I got my 8/30 claim filed finally, after Gustav but when I log onto laworks.net I get a message that says “Presently, there are no stops on your claim or all issues have been resolved….” When I get through to a person via the easy call system, no easy feat, I am told that they are still waiting on a decision regarding my claim and online it shows all payments of $0.00. The letters I get say that “a Benefits cannot be paid for the week ending xxx because a decision is being made regarding a possible issue on your claim about seperation from employment or availabilty. I’ve never filed for unemployment before and dont know how the system works but it seems to me that the people who need it the most (have no cash in bank) are being hurt disproportionatly. If I dont get something soon I will loose my apartment and have nowhere for myself, my fiance and three kids to go. I have plenty of job prospects but may have to take the wrong job making far less than I was because I cannot afford to wait to get a comparable job. Its like going from an executive position to working at burger king becuase I cannot wait any longer. That is one creative way to falsify the actual unemployment numbers in the state, how about percent of under-employed instead of percent of unemployed.
I have been waiting for over a month and i have no clue what is going on! i keep filing every week and getting letters that say the same thing, “we are waiting for a decision regarding your claim, you will be notified by mail when a decision is made” i’ve done everthing i can do and at this point, i’m about to lose everything… the website and letters say i have a balance of $4,100.00 but every payment shows up as 0…. what is the holdup? ok now it says they put a temporary hold, but it doesn’t say why, just that i will be notified in 4-6 weeks… i live in shreveport and we haven’t been hit by a hurricane….
I called yesterday 9/20 I got thru. Try this # 985-543-4114. It is a Hammond # but worth a try to get your benefits. Today I am trying to get on laworks, but get this message -
Cannot find “http://www.laworks.net/” DNS Error - Server cannot be found
Why is this taking so long….this is terrible…help is oy supposed to take this long..i think it is very disguting..people really need this money to help them out..i hope something shakes soon..
DOES ANYONE HAVE A CONTACT # FOR LA UE WHERE I CAN SPEAK TO A LIVE PERSON? MY HUSBAND LOST HIS JOB AND WE FILED FOR UE ALMOST 2 MONTHS AGO. WE GOT NOTHING EXCEPT A LETTER IN THE MAIL TO CONFIRM OUR ADDRESS. WE ARE STARVING HERE AND CAN’T GET ANY ANSWERS! PLEASE HELP!
This is absolute nonsense! I filed in June after five years of military service and have received nothing! Why have I paid into this insurance for so many years?
Its been 10 weeks since I filed for unemployment, numerous phone calls, numerous letters showing “claim pending for possible whatever”, one returned email from my local representative, and one unanswered email to the governor and not one single payment. How is a person supposed to continue looking for work when you have no gas, no electricity and no home because the system fails this badly? The few times I actually got thru to a live person the same answer over and over again is they are “back logged” due to the hurricanes and it can still take up to an additional 4 more weeks for payment. But it is certainly fine for them to close up shop on federal holidays isn’t it. If the state is so far behind on something that people need to survive you do whats needed to get the job done. Anybody else still having problems getting payment for this long?
I have the same problem also, Connie. Its been about 9 weeks since I’ve filled for UI benefits and they keep giving the the message about my claim is still pending and under reviewing.It’s absolutely absurd to have people lose holding on to money, when families are hardly making end-meet. God will provide to those who believe.
From what I understand, they just started issueing payments for Gustav Nov 28, 2008… Yet I have yet to talk to a physical person, and have been approved for an amount i can deal with… I have the paperwork stating so, but still have yet to hear from a real person, and this 18667835567 number is always busy… i have 3 phones available, and use redial consistently and not even automation… nervewracked
I lost my job end of Oct, I have been applying since then, no information has been given, not even in the mail. I am confused and need help. Im trying to look for a job, but with no gas, and possible light failure. What am I to do. Keep waiting for UE office. If you know any information please fill me in
Have been laid off for 6 weeks and keep getting the run around.
Filed in October,have never been able to talk to a live person, constant busy signals, the system tells me I didn’t check in when I did, glad to know I am not the only one in dire straits
This dosen;t make any sense,I thought it was just me until I read all the other complaints.It has been over 5 weeks and I can’t get through to anyone.I called BatonRouge and they said to call the 800#.I lost my car already and now my bills are rising.But they close the center for extended vacation time on every possible hint of holidays.THIS IS REAL LIFE!!EVERYONE DOSEN’T HAVE THOUSANDS SAVED FOR HARD TIMES.GIVE ME MY $$$$$$$$$.
I am a bit confused - I filed - received my unemployment except for the first week I filed, they tell me they hold the first week - but I have been paid every single week since then, and honestly I haven’t had an issues getting a hold of someone. The staff I speak with are kind, and every single one of them are really nice. I must say - they are overworked - and this isn’t their fault. The economy is in a mess - but keep trying and have patiences. God bless you.
For 6 weeks I’ve received a form letter telling me they haven’t yet made a decision onmy claim. The letter said after 4 weeks I should call. I’ve been calling now for 2 weeks. Mostly I get a busy signal. A few times I got a recording telling me that due to a high volume of calls and the number of people on hold they were not accepting any more calls. FINALLY today I get past that recording BUT I have been ON HOLD for 2 hours and 26 minutes already. It’s now 3:41pm. I will probably still be on hold when the staff goes home. Isn’t there anyone we can actually TALK to? This is ridiculous. Bobby Jindal needs to do something about this.
where can we go to do something about this terrible system? who can fix this?i cant get ahold of anyone to even request a card. i have benefits that are piling up and cent access them. i have been calling and e-mailing for months.i am being taxed for this money that i can not receive.
what can we do about this system? my local office tells me to contact via phone ….thats funny .they know the situation w/ that.i always get the’know one knows,and no one cares attitude.send letters toJINDAL!THIS IS SAD!!!AT LEAST THE STAFF THERE HAVE JOBS RIGHT?
I wrote an email to every single state rep in louisiana……I now receive my unemployment every week. LAworks office does not like this but it gets them to stop sending you the pointless form letters. in fact I had money on my debit card 3 days from the time i sat down and typed out the email.
Cannot get thru on telephone, would like to know why my claim was processed Monday (1/26/2009), and not showing up on my db card today Wed.
I am so very afraid now that I have read the previous posts.. My husband just applied for unemployment. Here are some links that may help with all of the run arounds and dead ends..
Contact the Governor’s Office
http://www.gov.state.la.us/
Find your representative and write!
http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/H_Reps_FullInfo.as
Contact your state senator..
http://senate.legis.state.la.us/Senators/offices.asp
District Maps Link
http://www.legis.state.la.us/members.htm
US Dept. Of Health and Human Services
http://www.hhs.gov/ContactUs.html
I hope this will help those of you who seem to be having nothing but trouble with the unemployment office, and be sure to keep all of this in mind when its time to vote! Life isn’t just about waiting for the storm to pass. Its also about learning to dance in the rain! Good luck and never loose hope!
I’m a military spouse who had a great job in Louisiana, but we relocated out of state for another military assignment. Can’t get a job in my field in my new state, and have to file in Louisiana. I filed, was told my claim was approved, returned the paperwork that LA requested within five days of its receipt, and since mid-December, have not seen a dime. Every time I file, I get a letter about two weeks later that states they are missing paperwork or I did not do something right, or they are no longer sure I qualify for benefits. I have tried numerous times to talk to an actual person to figure out why I keep being told that something different is wrong with my claim every week, but have had no success. The one time I got to an actual person, they tried to transfer me to someone else and I got disconnected. Thankfully I am not in dire financial crisis, and honestly it’s not a lot of money that I will see, but I’ve had to do this before and have never had such a horrible experience. If I was counting on this money to be able to eat, I would have starved by now, and I imagine that there are people out there who need the money more than me who are going hungry because of the utter incompetence of the state system.