Woman deemed ‘ineligible’ for unemployment, DEO addresses work search requirements

One woman says she waited almost four weeks after submitting her unemployment application only to be denied. Another man says the system thinks he still has a job when he doesn’t.

We spoke to many of you who are losing hope and want to show the state that their improvements haven’t been enough.

The word “ineligible” is devastating to Susan Garrison.

“Number one, I’m extremely confused; number two, I’m angry; and number three, I’m scared,” she said.

She applied on March 21 shortly after losing her job as a server.

“Ultimately I’m left with questions as to why my claim was denied,” she said.

That’s because she says the system won’t tell her why, instead showing the message “determination is not available.” Her only guess is from a message to her inbox.

“Telling me that I failed to meet the workforce requirements such as contacting employers,” Garrison said.

She tried to show us that message but the website kept crashing before she got that far.

But the governor waived work search requirements weeks ago and before you log in, the website specifically states: “The Department of Economic Opportunity has suspended the requirement to provide work search contacts…”

Yet many of you say the application still makes you fill out those questions.

At the same time, those of you who are self-employed are still facing issues.

Scott Johnson told us last week the system thinks he’s working.

“I keep getting a message that I must be employed,” he says.

Tuesday, he’s still seeing a message that reads, “Our records show that you have recently returned to work.”

Garrison says for her and many others, time is running out. “It’s hard to hold onto your hope, it is hard to hold onto your faith.”

She told WINK News the website says she can start a new claim, so she plans on beginning the entire process over again.

The DEO responded to this situation saying Garrison can appeal the decision.

For the work search requirements, the DEO also responded saying if you filed the week of March 15th or later and you did not search for work due to COVID-19, you may write “not applicable” or “not able to search for work” and then continue the process.

DEO Press Secretary Paige Landrum told WINK News in an email:

“Individuals are still required to log onto the CONNECT system every 2 weeks to complete their request for benefits. The work search requirement is waived for individuals requesting benefits for the weeks of March 15, 2020 to May 2, 2020. However, you must fulfill the work search requirements for any weeks prior to March 15, 2020.

“When completing the request, you will be asked questions about your ability and availability to look for work and any work and earnings you have had 2 weeks prior to your application date or continued claim date. if you did not search for work due to the waiver in Emergency Order No. DEO 20-11, you may put “not applicable” or “not able to search for work.” Then, proceed through to the next step in the request process. You may be asked additional questions that need to be answered to proceed to the next step in the request process. If you answered that you did not search for work, you will not be asked to complete a work search log. If you did search for work, you may be asked to complete a work search log.”

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