Cape jobless navigate overwhelmed system

Apr. 11--HYANNIS -- The COVID-19 crisis has led to skyrocketing job losses and an unprecedented number of unemployment insurance claims on the Cape and Islands and statewide.

But many in dire need of the safety net funds are encountering obstacles during the filing process, including accessing benefits available through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act package.

Nearly 470,000 Massachusetts residents have filed for unemployment benefits during the past three weeks.

"It sucks," said Rob Curtis, a self-employed commercial shellfisherman from Sandwich, who has not worked since late February when restaurant demand for his product began to plummet.

Curtis, 55, still has not been able to file for unemployment assistance for self-employed and "gig economy" workers who typically would not be eligible for benefits but are under the CARES Act.

On Thursday, Gov. Charlie Baker's office said the state was working with a vendor to build a new platform to disburse those benefits, and claims for self-employed workers are expected to begin processing around April 30 -- nearly three weeks from now. Payments, when processed, will be retroactive for claimants.

An additional CARES Act benefit -- an extra $600 per week for those collecting regular unemployment benefits -- is now being put in place by the state Department of Unemployment Assistance and will start to be disbursed this week, according to Baker's office.

Curtis has been doing his best to get by as he awaits benefits. He has been visiting food pantries, receiving some financial assistance from his brother and making payment arrangements for outstanding bills. The rent has not been paid for two months, but Curtis is grateful the landlord has been understanding.

"I think it's terrible," he said. "It's easy to be critical at a time like this, but it does seem like the state and feds are dragging their feet."

For Curtis' roommate, George Merson, 54, it appears that the sheer volume of claims being made to the unemployment office may be what's holding up processing of his benefit payments.

The laid-off produce salesman filed an unemployment claim March 15. As of late Thursday, Merson had still not received a check, but he had received a message that payment was being processed and could be arriving soon.

"It's been like a nightmare," he said.

Merson, who has been depleting savings to pay living expenses, thought he had filed correctly, but a glitch from a past claim -- he couldn't remember a password -- initially caused a problem.

"They did get right back to me," he said, but he was still waiting for a resolution as of this week. "I think it's just because they are overwhelmed."

The Cape and Islands legislative delegation has been deluged with requests from constituents seeking assistance and guidance with unemployment benefits.

"Nearly every single call we are getting these days has to do with unemployment," state Rep. William Crocker, R-Centerville, said. "It is difficult and frustrating."

Crocker cites the extraordinary and unprecedented circumstances and volume of claims, combined with the task of creating technology solutions to sync state and federal protocols, as a major challenge in the process. He said it is "cold comfort" to tell some people they can apply for benefits at the end of the month, often directing them to other local assistance programs in the meantime.

"This is something that none of us has ever experienced," Crocker said. "In these extraordinary times, we need to work together and stay together to get through this."

The phone also has been ringing off the hook at the office of state Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro.

"We are getting tons of calls and emails," Cyr said. "To call the demand unprecedented is an understatement."

He surmises that any claim more complicated than involving a W-2 form, such as claimants who work more than one job, requires additional review and may be jamming the system.

Jeffrey Soares, district director for Cyr's office, said he has received nearly 200 calls in the past three weeks, the majority related to unemployment benefits and personal protective equipment. Constituents also are contacting the office with concerns about eviction and inability to pay bills.

"There's a lot of anxiety, fear and uncertainty," Soares said. "There is also some embarrassment for first-time (unemployment benefit claimants). Some say, 'I feel like I'm mooching off the system.' It's a tough pill to swallow for some."

The response by the Department of Unemployment Assistance has been impressive, with return calls within one to two days, said Soares, who has been reaching out to the agency to assist with constituent issues.

"We want to encourage people to reach out for help," Cyr said, referencing local organizations such as the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund, Cape Cod and Islands Major Crisis Relief Fund and Lower Cape Outreach Council.

"I know it can be daunting, but we don't want people to be discouraged," he said. "Apply for help, including unemployment insurance, food stamps and programs offered from other local organizations."

Cyr is extremely concerned about the potentially devastating impacts a prolonged quarantine and business shutdown period could have on the region as summer approaches, affecting seasonal workers who rely on the 12 to 14 weeks as a primary source of income.

"It could possibly hit us more disproportionately," he said.

State Rep. Timothy Whelan, R-Brewster, said his office has been doing its best to inform and assist constituents who have unemployment issues and may not be able to get through to the state department as it deals with an avalanche of claims.

"People just want to talk to other people," he said, many with questions about when self-employed workers will receive benefits. "It was one act passed in Congress, yet has to fit into 50 different systems throughout the country. Unfortunately, it's a huge task that can't be done overnight."

Whelan's office also has been working to connect residents with local food pantries and nonprofit organizations that could provide financial assistance.

"As always, the community is stepping up during this crisis, just like it did after last summer's tornadoes," he said. "Cape Cod is the best place to live."

Follow Geoff Spillane on Twitter: @GSpillaneCCT.

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