Unemployment Extension Hits Hard At The Holidays

[dateline] -- Ohio has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation.

If there's any good news for those receiving unemployment checks, it's that recipients are getting seven more weeks of assistance.

Several frustrated residents called NBC 4, saying their unemployment assistance has run out and they've been left waiting for those precious extension dollars.

NBC 4's Mikaela Hunt called the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services and asked why the extension had not gone into effect yet.

"I don't know from one day to the next what's going to happen anymore," said Bev Bruck, a benefit recipient.

Bruck first contacted NBC 4 in July. Wondering where her unemployment extension was, she was forced to sell items in her homes to make ends meet.

She said she is now back in the same situation, waiting on the money as she struggles to find a job.

Hunt asked ODJFS, "What is taking so long to put this in place?"

"We have some programming that we need to do with our computer system that processes the claims and we've been working very hard. We have all of our MIS information staff working to make this happen," said Sara Hall Phillips, ODJFS Workforce Policy Director.

Congress recently authorized the extension and they will only pay from Nov. 29 forward -- for a seven week period.

Ohio and other states are now scrambling to put a new system in place and test it so they won't have mistake payouts or denials.

While that happens, tens of thousands of people are calling their center for answers.

"They're frustrated. They're asking about it," Phillips said.

"What are you telling them?" Hunt asked.

"No one who is entitled to receive benefits will ultimately be going without them," Phillips said.

That's the bottom line, Hunt reported. If you qualify, you'll get the money and the agency will be calling you soon.

But, recipients may go without the money until the week of Christmas.

ODJFS will begin dispersing the money on Dec. 22.

Officials said there is no way to expedite the process because they would have to start programming their systems before Congress passes legislation, and they say that's simply impossible.

Stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for additional information.

To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail us at .

NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video

MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video