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As the extra $600 unemployment benefit ends, Arizonans still have issues getting regular payments
The average Arizona unemployment benefit is just over $200 a week.
PHOENIX - Arizonans on unemployment are no longer receiving the federal $600 bonus payments. For months, they had that extra cushion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Congress is debating solutions while many wait for an extension, some Arizonans aren't receiving their regular benefits as some are still waiting for their first unemployment payment.
They say they can’t get through to anyone to solve their issues, meaning bills aren’t getting paid and finances are only getting tighter.
"It says 'active issue' and my heart stopped and I’m like what’s going on and it says 'voluntary quit' and I’m like holy cow," said Mark North.
RELATED: Arizona leaders say the unemployment fund could run out by the end of 2020
He had been collecting unemployment from the Department of Economic Security (DES) before the issue. His employer told DES they had it all wrong and that North was furloughed.
A month later and he’s still waiting.
"That’s my money I paid into this system. There’s no fraud here, there’s no scam or anything. I just want to pay my bills and get through this pandemic like everyone else," North explained.
Marie Starks Adams says she can't get through to anyone for help.
"No. No answers. I call every day, no answers," she said.
Adams's account summary shows she applied March 15 and she's only received one check.
RELATED: DES confirms accounts of some unemployment recipients emptied
"We’re not getting nothing. It’s like a waiting game. You don’t want to answer your phone. It’s a waiting game and everybody’s so confused, everyone has questions," she said.
The agency says they average thousands of claimant calls a week.
As Congress continues to debate a potential extension to the $600 a week benefit, and many complain about Arizona’s second lowest in the country for unemployment payouts, there are Arizonans like North and Adams still waiting for just, anything.
Department of Labor data compiled by the Century Foundation found 32% of Arizona claimants have had to wait more than 50 days to receive eligibility.
RELATED: Arizona Department of Economic Security audit required every 10 years, it's been 15
FOX 10 reached out to DES for comment on the months-long wait times. They didn’t provide a comment but have previously said they’ve added more employees to get through the unprecedented backlog.
The DES Director has not responded to requests for an interview.
For more DES coverage, visit https://www.fox10phoenix.com/tag/organization/azdes