ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The state agency that handles New Mexicans’ claims for unemployment claims is processing claims faster but taking longer to help people calling on the phone.
A Legislative Finance Committee report card says the Department of Workforce Solutions issued determinations for 76 percent of eligible claims within 21 days during the last three months of 2013.
The Albuquerque Journal (https://bit.ly/1ik4NSS) reports that’s up from 55 percent in the previous three months.
Meanwhile it took an average of 68 minutes for a caller to complete a transaction with the department’s call center during October, November and December. That’s up from 44.5 minutes in the previous three months.
The department cites calls related to the partial federal government shutdown, seasonable agricultural workers and the end of extended federal jobless benefits on Dec. 31.
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