Nevada Unemployment Benefits Delayed, Casino Workers Told They Will Eventually Be Paid
Posted on: April 6, 2020, 02:27h.
Last updated on: April 6, 2020, 01:42h.
The Nevada unemployment benefits system is overloaded by the COVID-19 pandemic layoffs that have brought the state economy to a standstill. And patience is wearing thin for many of the 170,596 claimants who have filed over the past three weeks.
Processing the unemployment claims is resulting in lengthy time periods before qualified applicants are receiving payments. The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) says it is unable to advise those seeking unemployment pay as to when money might be received.
The unemployment website and phone system is a joke,” tweeted Lisa Roe. “The unemployed of Nevada need help now. There is no more time to waste.”
Numerous social media users are also voicing their frustrations in trying to file. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) ordered the closure of all 219 casinos in the state on March 17. The directive is impacting some 206,000 gaming industry workers.
For the first time in my life I’m collecting unemployment. I am furloughed from my casino and should have my job back. In the meantime, it would be nice to be able to log on to the Nevada unemployment website, but of course Sisolak can’t even get that working,” Vegas4life tweeted.
After Sisolak said Monday that he “had a productive two-hour phone call” with Vice President Mike Pence, more critics fired back.
I’ve had a non-productive 3+ hours and counting phone call with unemployment insurance,” said one Las Vegas resident. Another chimed in, “How about fixing the unemployment problem? Casino workers have been trying to get our unemployment for two weeks and it’s busy all day.”
Nevada has 1,953 coronavirus positive cases, and 46 residents have died from the disease.
Time Running Out
Many casinos offered their employees one or two weeks of pay following Sisolak’s order to suspend operations. Those two weeks have come and gone, forcing tens of thousands of workers to sit at home with no incoming money.
While workers at Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts are being paid through at least May 15, billionaire Sands owner Sheldon Adelson explaining it is his company’s obligation to “maximize the number of employees and their families that we can help,” casino workers at other companies are not so fortunate.
The $2 trillion CARES Act stimulus package signed by President Donald Trump last month increases state unemployment benefits by $600 a week through July 31, 2020. But DETR says it hasn’t received those funds yet, the website listing the component’s status as “awaiting federal guidance.”
Sisolak’s executive order suspended all evictions and foreclosures in the state for as long as Nevada remains in a “state of emergency.” MGM Resorts, the largest employer in Nevada, says 60,000 of its employees have been furloughed.
Backpay Guaranteed
Speaking with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, DETR spokesperson Rosa Mendez says qualified unemployment applicants will receive pay from when they first became eligible.
“Claims will be paid without waiting seven days for administrative review to ensure the most prompt payment of claims possible,” Mendez explained.
Nevada casinos will remain closed through the end of the month, per Sisolak’s order. One thing is for certain, and that is the coronavirus economic impact on Nevada, a state that relies on tourism more than any other, will be felt for many months – and possibly years – to come.
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Last Comments ( 121 )
Nevada's unemployment is a huge home right now I've been waiting 8 week's to receive anything.. A letter, a phone interview ANYTHING and I haven't but yet every week I file my claim it's telling me my payments will not be issued!! I have called every week since March 13th when I first filed and can't get through lines always busy and when I am able to get through the call hangs up lol what a fucking joke these people are. By the time I hear from unemployment I'll probably be back at work, then unemployment is gonna say they overpaid me LET THE BULLSHIT CONTINUE
As of Friday (5/8/20) DETR has received 421,300 UI claims ( the exact number reported was 421,294 ). Each claim must be reviewed and adjudicated by a member of the DETR staff which takes 15 - 30 mins. Assuming there are 200 people at DETR processing claims ( which is what the governor has stated ) It will take somewhere between 3 and 6 months to get those claims processed ( although I think 3 months is more than a bit optimistic ). That assumes there are no pending issues associated with the claim. Claimants and Employers have 11 days from the date of mailing to respond to a DETR inquiry which delays the process even more. So don't expect you money to be coming anytime soon, especially if your claim is pending resolution.( The estimates above were calculated on 200 people working a standard 40 hour work week ) What I don't understand is why the Governor, utilizing his emergency powers under NRS 414.020 has not issued an executive order to circumvent the UI regulations and adjudication process. If he can use that power shut down the state and put 400,000 people out of work he can certainly use that same power to mitigate the problems at DETR. In addition, he can contact Washington and request that he be allowed to distribute the FPUC funds immediately to all claimants while the state continues to process the existing claims and works on resolving any pending issues.
Mine says it's open and she I go into it it states on all 4weeks no payment due to no call no show well fuck of course this state of emergency has put me home with my child and I'm a single parent it's my only choice I can't get through the phone lines and the help detr help email I one has replied so I'm still filing weekly but I'm growing more stressed cause I'm not getting any response
I filed since 4/5. I reported the 2 weeks severance (not really-sure if it is severance pay because it did not say severance on my pay stubs) and vacation pay I received, since then I have gotten the notation saying payments delaying - deductible income - pending resolution. I have faxed my pay stubs and emailed them several times but no resolution or response. I been out of work since 3/17. I haven't receive a single penny from unemployment benefits. I am trying to understand that they are overwhelmed and I am trying to be patient. I wish that they could at least let you know somehow that they have received the documents they requested and it's being handle and please be patient. But no nothing, you are left to wonder. I answered every questions in all honesty and truthfully to my best of my ability. I reported everything that my company paid me and all this experienced taught me is that you are being punished for being honest. I know that there are people that did not report those payments and they are getting paid, but still I am hoping for the best. I pray and hope that everyone will soon get some resolution to whatever issues they may be having.
I’m 75 years old and work because I HAVE to. Can not live on Social Security alone. I filed over two months ago and received card but no money pending resolution item. Pending resolution is over 3 weeks now. I am still waiting for stimulus check and money is running low. Can’t they fix the “pending resolution “ items???
I have sent back a medical form that my dr. Filled out. I mailed it twice my dr. Faxed it AND I faxed it. They don't show that I sent anything back! They just keep sending me the same form twice a week and it has been sent back to them 4 times. They are wasting money sending these forms over and over. I think they are just trying to justify their inadequacy by continuing to send the same form over and over. I just filed my 5th week. I check the site every day and it looks the same as it did 5 weeks ago. I know they are busy but they should not leave us in the dark.
Nevada should be embarrassed. I grew up here went to school here. The Governor and Mayor need to go away.There both idiots. They caused the disorganization of unemployment. Smart people would of thought of the situation prior to shutting down. They shouls of asked the questions. Instead they let the stampede to the unemployment systems get over run. They were careless. I like all of you are waiting pending resolution. Its been over a month. I will be back to work before my claim is ever reviewed. 8 weeks or more for my unemployment If i am lucky. I am absolutely disgusted. Horrified. Fyi the longer they hold on to the moneies. The more interest the state makes. Trump gave us millions and millions. Fact during the housing crisis in 2007 the goverment gave Nevada 1 billion dollars to help keep people in their homes. Housing and Urban development got the the money. They set up an office for 6 months paid the employee's 100k salaries. They never helped one person. Its all about the money.
I say everyone need to join in a massive class action suit for damage resulting from lost wages along with loss of property value in homes and business. If the states need money they have a lot of property they can sell off. Don't put us all on the street, you already have a big enough problem in that regards.
I hope everyone is staying optimistic in these unknown times! I tried filing my claim online and when I submit, I receive the following message: "Your claim must be reviewed by DETR, please contact the Telephone Claims Center to submit your claim" As everyone here already knows, it's near impossible to get someone on the phone. My question is – what are the reasons my claim would need to be reviewed? My last position was with an out-of-state employer. Would this automatically flag my account and make it necessary that my claim is reviewed? I appreciate any help! Thanks!
im in the same boat as the rest of you and i am fucking sick of it .i have lived in nevada for 40 years and every time i file for unemployment i have to jump threw hoops and play this fucking game to get it and its fucking bullshit .there always rude and very unprofesional you might even say incompatent were do they find these people parol and probation ,drug rehab because they cant make a decision they cant even send you a letter to let you no if you get it or not . we need to all stand together and make sure they pay us from the day we filed and dont let them play the fucking stupid game that they like to play.there nit picken every single claim thats all they do since the first time i filed so dont let them screw you.
TOTALLY MESSED UP!!!!! I think we need to run the next protest at Sisolaks home in Spanish Trails
my sister applied 22nd week in march , got card has received no payment other than 1200.00 stimulas she got severance check for 80 hours about 2 weeks later declred that was put on pending resolution. over month goes by nothing . it went so long her file dropped out of system. she reapplied still nothing
As a full time musician, 100% of my work is self-employed. STILL no info on when or how to file for benefits from this pandemic as a 1099 worker. Now finally down to my last months of rent here and after this I will be completely broke. I know a ton of other musicians in town who are dealing with the same issue. I have been attempting to call them for 3 weeks every single day, 9+ hours a day and STILL haven't been able to speak with anyone about this and I have been extremely persistent. Every time I get close to talking to someone the automated teller says that all employees are busy and to call back later, or says the que has been filled for the day, then hangs up!!! ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. Us self employed workers NEED ASSISTANCE NOW.
My husband and my daughter both filed at the same time which is over 3 weeks ago, both got approved, both got their cards in the mail, my daughter started getting paid for her weekly and the extra 600.00 and my husband hasn't received anything so far. We check the card everyday and the balance is 0.00 and we try to call and it either rings busy or they cant take any more calls for the day, we need to pay for food and bills???
Not eligible for a regular claim. How is this going to work when filing the weekly claim option? I have filed for 5 weeks now and still no information at all. Don't even know if they have looked at my account. The system is an absolute joke.