State Swamped With Unemployment Calls
By: Austin Kellerman
Updated: January 13, 2009
Callers dialing for information on unemployment benefits can expect to be put on hold. The Texas Workforce Commissions phones are being swamped by folks seeking jobless benefits, and some are having to wait more than 30 minutes.
Some never get through.
Ann Hatchitt, director for communications, encourages people to file online.
Jobless claims soared to 89-thousand in November and the commission added 110 workers since then to keep up with rising demands.
Claimants will not be penalized but first-time callers could face long delays.
One person spent two hours dialing a number to apply for benefits.






