Like many other events in the wake of COVID-19, this year’s State of State looked much different. For the first time in state history, Democratic Governor Tony Evers gave the annual address virtually, starting his speech with some lightheartedness on the situation. “Tonight’s speech will take a heckuva lot less time and since you’re watching […]
DWD Secretary-Designee Amy Pechacek on clearing Wisconsin’s unem...
Since March, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has struggled under the weight of a record amount of unemployment claims. The Department’s antiquated technology buckled under the sudden influx of claims, and the system rapidly backed up. Six months into the quagmire, Governor Tony Evers fired the Department’s Secretary — Caleb Frostman. In his place, […]
Wisconsin DWD continues to wrestle with unemployment backlog
On Tuesday, Wisconsin’s Assembly Republicans — led by Speaker Robin Vos — introduced a one hundred million dollar coronavirus relief package. One of the central pillars of the package seeks to reduce the state’s Unemployment Insurance backlog — an issue the state’s Department of Workforce Development has spent months trying to solve. For more on […]
Unemployment During the Pandemic
An estimated 50 million Americans have filed unemployment claims since the start of the pandemic. That’s roughly one in five workers collecting unemployment benefits and navigating a labyrinthine system to do so. What does this all mean for American workers, especially now that additional federal benefits have expired? Today, we discuss this topic in-depth with […]
SSDI Recipients Now Encouraged to Apply for Unemployment Benefits By U...
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients whose ability to work was impacted by COVID-19 are now being encouraged to apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Thanks to a 2013 state law passed in Governor Walker’s administration, people in Wisconsin who receive disability benefits are ineligible for state unemployment benefits—which maxes out at $370 a week. […]
Delays, Denials in Wisconsin Unemployment
The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced July 8 that it would triple the number of staff, enabling the department to increase the rate at which calls are answered and claims decided. DWD also expanded its hours of operation. On weekdays, from 6:15 am to 5:30 pm staff in the help center will take calls. […]
