(LEX 18) — Frustrations continue for Kentuckians who applied for unemployment benefits but have yet to receive any money.
Josh Taylor of Harrodsburg filed a claim back on March 20. He says he’s followed up with countless emails and phone calls, but still nothing.
“I got ahold of a lady today and she put me on hold but it just hangs up on you after a couple of hours. It’s kind of scary really, you don’t know if, nobody can tell you if it’s gonna happen or if you’re not going to get it,” said Taylor.
Spring should be a busy time for Taylor who works on construction and landscaping jobs, but instead he’s at home with no income.
He joined a Facebook group called Kentucky Unemployment where people are sharing experiences and trying to get answers. But he’s starting to lose hope.
“When you get up in the morning and you’re like hopefully I can get through today and then you get hung up on after two hours like it ruins your whole day. Before you know it like you end up just depressed,” said Taylor.
Ashley Howard is a hair stylist at Great Clips in Morehead. She also applied back in March a few days after her salon closed. She says for a while her identity was under investigation, but that recently got cleared up.
“It’s frustrating because it’s like what’s the point of being put on hold and being put in a cue if I don’t hear back from anybody,” said Howard.
Howard is grateful she says her salon managers have helped her through the process, but she still hasn’t received any money from the state.
“When you have no income of any kind it really makes it stressful because it’s like do I have gas money to go to the grocery store? Do I have money for the groceries I need,” said Howard.
Howard says her claim is still showing up as under investigation.
Tuesday afternoon LEX 18 reached out to state officials to try and find out the status of Taylor and Howard’s claims. We’re told their information has been forwarded to a specialist who will get in touch with them.
UPDATE: Since this story aired and LEX 18 reached out to state officials, both Taylor and Howard received calls from unemployment specialists. Taylor says his claim got resolved and Howard says she had to send a follow-up email but she hopefully will receive money soon.
