“If this fraud goes through using that information that someone was able to acquire previously…they’re going to have money that the Department of Labor showed it was paid to them. “Somehow my information was used to file a claim in Michigan. Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in Wisconsin. >> LAST WEEK, 12 NEWS INVESTIGATED THE CASE OF A LOCAL VETERAN WAITING SIX MONTHS FOR HIS BENEFITS. Someone may be using your identity in a fraud scheme. If you need help with your claim, call 844-910-3661 or 414-435-7069. >> 18 WEEKS. ALERT: Have you received a letter or debit card from the NYS Department of Labor regarding an unemployment insurance monetary benefit that you did NOT apply for? It was just now a matter to stop any payments and to prevent any of our personal accounts to also be compromised,” he said. "Being homeless, not being able to provide for my child," Jones said. “I had figured that something had been compromised. "What's the most frustrating for you?" WISN 12 News investigative reporter Hillary Mintz asked. "Eighteen weeks of waiting for unemployment. People are worried about losing their homes and putting food on the table. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE BEEN INUNDATED WITH EMAILS, PERSON AFTER PERSON TELLING US THAT THEIR SITUATION, HOPING FOR RESULTS. FOR NOW THE WAITING GAME CONTINUES. Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet were set to lapse at midnight Saturday unless President Donald Trump signed an end-of-year COVID relief and spending bill that had been considered a done deal before his sudden objections. Their purpose is to get unemployment benefits to groups of workers who are not eligible for regular unemployment for various reasons.. He is Vice President and a partner at Occhino Corp. in West Seneca and also an essential worker. On Monday, New York State Republican Assemblyman Steve Hawley released a statement in regards to the potential scam. People worried about losing their homes, putting food on the table. “This claim was filed May 24th using my identity, filed in Michigan. Unemployment is often used as a measure of the health of the economy. "Either deny them or give them what they're owed," Evers said. He said the investigation into his case has “hit a brick wall.” It keeps happening. Milone first got an employment verification letter for state unemployment benefits two weeks ago at his office. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "What's the most frustrating for you?" Note: for an explanation of all the different kinds of unemployment benefits connected to this pandemic, see this lengthy table. A conviction for unemployment insurance fraud can lead to serious penalties. "I understand they're backed up but 12 weeks? >> 12 WEEKS AND NO LETTER? Right now, it is not known just how many Western New Yorkers are impacted, but Dempsey said dozens already came forward. That same day he received another letter and a debit card from the Department of Labor in his home mailbox. >> BILLS ARE BEHIND, CAR PAYMENT. >> NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY YOUR BILLS. >>, AND IN NEED OF HELP. "Bills are behind, car payment," Minnie Parker said. Claims hit a peak on 4 April with 214,836 new unemployment applications at the worst point of the crisis. No. >> IN MILWAUKEE, HILLARY MINTZ, WISN 12 NEWS. NEW NUMBERS OUT WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SHOW SINCE MARCH 15 WORKERS FILED NEARLY 900,000 CLAIMS, WITH THE STATE PAYING OUT MORE THAN $3.6 BILLION. People have also been calling.WISN 12's investigation revealed a widespread problem, a massive backlog with the state of Wisconsin.New numbers out Wednesday afternoon show since March 15 workers filed nearly 900,000 claims, with the state paying out more than $3.6 billion. >> THEY SAID THAT THEIR SYSTEM WAS NOT SET UP FOR IT, SO MANY REQUESTS, AND THEY HIRED SOME PEOPLE. 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