NC agency says jobless benefits to be paid quickly

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina’s employment agency says it will move quickly to get overdue jobless benefits paid next week.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Saturday the Employment Security Commission expects to process 100,000 claims for backlogged benefits almost immediately. Agency chairwoman Lynn Holmes says about 20,000 people will have to be verified for eligibility.

Congress approved $34 billion in payments Thursday after weeks of debate.

During previous interruptions in payments, North Carolina’s employment commission took as long as a month to resume benefits, blaming the delay on old software.

Holmes said most recipients will be paid next week, receiving a lump sum retroactive to the day benefits were cut off with regular payments continuing later.

Information from: The News & Observer

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