Through the maze of the unemployment system

The anxiety felt about falling into the unemployment lines by the world pandemic is not only felt by the displaced workers of South Carolina. It’s felt also by those in charge of administering the state’s jobless benefits. And James Suber can empathize with those who are frustrated trying to navigate a system that requires communications by the internet. Suber, the chief of staff of the Department of Employment and Workforce, tried to clear up many of the questions that need answers. He spoke today on the news program of the Oconee Chamber of Commerce, moderated by JoAnn Johnson. About the frustration that some applicants have been denied benefits that are to be guaranteed by the “PUA”—the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance—as part of the federal “CARES” Act, Suber said this: “We have your claim. You have been denied. We push out this PUA program which you may gain eligibility (for.) Go back into our application and provide us this information. We will establish whatever that monetary will be for that individual and the $600 dollars will be on top of that amount. And then, they will be receiving their benefits going forward.” The payment of $600 dollars a week up until July is in addition to regular unemployment compensation for an approved claimant.