Unemployment system flooded

MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) -- (01/05/09)--Michigan's automated phone system for unemployment benefits is backed up, leaving some families struggling to survive.

"I haven't had a job in two months. I can't find one," said David Gubanche, a Lapeer Township resident.

To get his unemployment benefits, he needs to talk to MARVIN every two weeks. MARVIN is short for Michigan's Automated Response Voice Interactive Network.

"Well, right now when I call it says that I claimed in a different state last year so I'm not even eligible. So I have to actually call and talk to a person. And that's impossible," Gubanche said.

Instead, he gets a message: "All circuits are busy."

Flint resident Larry Johnson also knows the feeling.

"I hang up. Redial. Hang up. Redial. Hang up. Redial," he said. "I've been on the phone over two hours every day. It's been eating up my minutes. You just can't get through to anybody."

"It's a difficult time," said Norm Isotalo, spokesman for the Unemployment Insurance Agency.

The most recent estimates show Michigan's unemployment rate at 9.6 percent. That's up more than two percentage points in just a year.

Isotalo said MARVIN is answering thousands of calls a day. He said Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency is hiring and reallocating workers to deal with increased demand.

"What we have been advising people is that normally the first 20 minutes after the start of the hour and the 20 minutes before the end of the hour are normally the busiest periods," Isotalo said.

Benefit recipients must call MARVIN every two weeks to update their work status and remain eligible. They are scheduled to call at specific times Monday through Wednesday based on the last two digits of their Social Security numbers.

Anyone who misses their slot is allowed to call anytime Thursday or Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

But Gubanche is sick of being on hold.

"I have to take loans out just to feed my family and pay my bills," he said.

State officials are urging benefit recipients to go online.

If you need to talk to someone in person, you can also go the unemployment insurance office, 614 Johnson St., in Saginaw.

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