By Craig Anderson

DOVER — Delaware continues to struggle with processing unemployment claims in a timely manner, but the state isn’t alone.

That’s according to Department of Labor Secretary Karryl Hubbard, who said, “Like many states, Delaware is still grappling with several issues that have created delays that, under normal circumstances, are managed within expected guidelines. We continue to add staff and refine our practices to process and adjudicate claims. We aren’t where we need to be.”

According to DOL, a significant number of fraudulent claims greatly increased backlogged cases, slowing an already lengthy process even more.

Federal benefit programs fostered through the American Rescue Plan Act will expire Sept. 6. Congress set the length for their availability, and Delaware does not have the authority to extend them. Benefits will be paid through the week ending Sept. 4.

According to DOL, “Claims already filed and currently pending adjudication will continue to be reviewed. If determined eligible, they will be paid accordingly.”

The department has tailored its infrastructure to meet the challenges of submitted fraud claims, Ms. Hubbard added. Additional identity-verification processes add to the time needed to receive properly deserved benefits, she said.

Reaching out to the public is another aim.

“We have continued to refine our security screening and add system features to detect fraudulent claims,” she said.

“In the near term, we are planning to have a number of public events to help claimants address issues related (to) the backlog. We will have DOL staff available to verify identity without having to upload it.”

The delays come at a time when DOL’s staffing has increased immensely. The Division of Unemployment had 88 employees pre-pandemic and now has about 250 employees and contractual staff.

Also, according to DOL, significant time and effort was invested into publicizing the June 12 return of the work search and Delaware JobLink requirement, which has had a tremendous response.

More than 25,000 persons had registered at Delaware JobLink, the DOL said Aug. 6. More than 30,000 resumes had been created and/or uploaded when the work search/DJL registration requirements returned. However, there also continue to be some who fail to fulfill the job search requirement each week.

Individuals seeking benefits must submit a certification to request them every week. That’s mandatory no matter whether the claimant is already confirmed for benefits or if that determination remains pending.

According to DOL:

• 20,351 individuals submitted weekly certifications the week ending July 31, 2021.
• 29,659 submitted weekly certifications the week ending June 26, 2021.
• 50,157 submitted weekly certifications the week ending Aug. 1, 2020.

For perspective, there were 5,600 certifications the week before Gov. John Carney’s state of emergency was declared in March 2020.

DOL said 79% of benefit payments were made via direct deposit for the week ending July 31, 2021. Debit card payments accounted for 18%, and 3% were disbursed via check.

Unemployment benefit amounts are determined by an individual’s earning history. In Delaware, benefits range from $20 to $400 weekly.

Benefits received through the Extended Benefits and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs are determined by the same formula as unemployment insurance.

The PEUC program minimum is $133 and can increase if an entitled claimant’s wages support a higher weekly amount or if the net earnings of a self-employed/independent contractor support a higher WBA, the DOL said.

For the traditional UI program, Delaware pays 26 weeks of benefits, though Extended Benefits offers between 13 and 20 weeks when available. The number of weeks varies based on the unemployment rate.

The PEUC initiative provides up to 53 weeks of additional benefits after UI and EB, if available, are exhausted.