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 )
I am a single mother with a 6 month old. I filed for pua and received my card but it still says pending. I've been waiting a couple of months. I'm currently trying to find work and My rent is due and I owe back pay that my landlord as we speak is trying to evict me over. They continue to give us 7 day notices even though we're making payments. Times are hard and Vegas makes to much money for us to be struggling like this. Homelessness is only going to lead to more sickness which is gonna lead to more death. I need help Mr. Governor what are you going to do to save us?
I have filed for 28 weeks strait and I'm compliant and up to date with all of my documents. I still haven't seen one penny of my unemployment benefits. When the pendemic started. Alot of nevadan residents received payment right away and still I haven't seen one bit of it. And I still file my weekly certification like a pendejo waiting for my benefits. I guess it's one of those , it's not what you know. It's who you know situation. Anyway am anyone tell me how can I get my benefits released
I have a claim thats been in for awhile. I applied for the extended benefits and was asked to answer questions. I answered questions regarding my last two jobs, and something triggered saying I answered something wrong. I clicked on the highlighted questions, answered them and it kept saying interview by 9/3. Well, that date has come and gone and I cannot get through. I called any number I could find and found out that I needed to fill ou a FF form, Direct Fact Finding form. But it is nowhere on the site. Im about to pull my hair out.
I filed and recieved unemployment for 2 whole weeks before my employer LIED and said I refused work when reality is after I told them I was in contact with someone running a fever they told me DONT COME BACK. I havent recieved unemployment for 14 weeks. I sent my appeal in immediately as I have proof in texts affirming they told me not to return. I have waited 10 weeks since the appeal was sent in. No mail, no call, no hearing set nothing. I apply for 20 jobs a day on indeed and not one phone call for interview, nothing. I am loosing my animals, my home, my car, my life. No one cares......they have jobs. I am 55 and have never been unemployed or without a job. This has destroyed me and everything I have worked for all my life. In 2 weeks I will be homeless. If someone would just pick up my appeal and process it they would see my employer lied and none of it was my fault. No one will until I am homeless with no phone and wont ever know. It's frustrating when I have 12,000.00 owed to me and meanwhile my life is ending because I dont have a dime coming in. This is a joke. My life is ending and they complain about how busy they are. I would gladly trade places in a heart beat.
My wife filed weeks ago. Same results as everyone else!!! How do you like your California Democrat influx of power grabbers now??? Recalls and impeachments are in order!!! Good luck to everybody who needs help!
Clover Health Nashville
I have not had a paycheck since March. I have used used up all of my resources and have no husband or boyfriend to help. My siblings all live on the east coast and are not doing well either. I have $4 until my money is deposited on my card. I am wondering if I did everything right on my paperwork to the PUA. They don't tell you that you screwed up. They just leave you hanging. I call them everyday all day from 8am till 3pm. No answer. We people who have qualified for PUA are left out in the cold to starve to death. I can't sleep at night.
I filed for traditional unemployment immediately after the casinos were closed on March 17, I am an independent contractor with no W2 but 1099. I was turned down because I showed no earnable employee earning credits. Then the Govenor sent his unemployment email. I then filed for PUA unemployment through the new site. Sent my doc"s proving my status and waited a month while my case was being reviewed. Finally I received a disqualification letter stating I was turned down because I was eligible for other unemployment services (traditional) though they had disqualified me previously. Letter said I could appeal and to follow directions to appeal on the site, the only way you can appeal. I follow the directions and there in no appeal link where you are directed to go. I've tried to get through on the phone (no such luck), I emailed several messages (not heard anything back), I've messaged the Governor and Represenitive Titus, no answer. I have a deadline date for filing an appeal. What a joke!
It took way too long to have the link for EUC to appear on the claimant homepage, plus on top of that the issues delaying payment seem to be a something they must be proud of. In my case I've been having issues dp for over a month now without being able to get a representative to call back to fix that. Am I suppose to be waiting until after new year's eve to get my payments in or something? Not funny DETR
My comment is a repeat of so many of you. I was furloughed from my casino job on March 17 and immediately filed for unemployment online on March 18. Our employer paid us one week of wages after we were laid off, so I claimed that income when filing. Sure enough, for 9 weeks now, my claim has said "deductible income, pending resolution." I, too, have called every morning since April 1, only to hear a constant busy signal, or be told my call did not go through, or "we're sorry, all circuits are busy at this time," or finally, when it does ring, I hear a recorded message that says all of their queues are filled for the day and to try back the next. I have thought many times that I want to give up trying to reach someone by phone, but what else do I have to do? Certainly not able to go to work right now. I have only received the $1200.00 stimulus check on April 15, but no unemployment benefits or the extra $600.00 per week. Some of my coworkers did not claim the check we were given after we were furloughed, and they have been receiving their unemployment benefits plus the extra $600.00 per week. The unemployment website says it is fraud to not claim any and all earnings for the week applying. I have read many blogs, and those of us who are still waiting to be paid will supposedly receive retroactive pay, which should be a good-sized check when it arrives, but it is not doing anyone any good right now. I have read where there are over 51,000 claims with the "deductible income, pending resolution" problem. I also read where the unemployment offices will be open on Saturday and Sunday, but I am not sure when that will start. I have emailed Governor Sisolak's office twice so far, the first time 5 weeks ago asking why the unemployment offices were not open on the weekends during this crisis, and the second time 3 weeks ago to personally ask him to call and assist me with my claim. Surprisingly, I have not received any response … LOL! I, too, will probably be back to work before benefits start rolling in. There is no specific date yet when all casinos will be allowed to open. The casino where I work has submitted their pre- and post-opening plans to the Gaming Commission and are awaiting word. The owner also stated that it is possible not all employees will be invited back initially due to low volumes. I am wishing everyone good luck and agree that our elected officials have some explaining to do. As far as Governor Sisolak goes, I never vote Democrat anyway, but I do hope he incurs a lot of complaints and consequences over this. Take care.
Like everyone, I have filed for my unemployment 7 weeks ago. What is the problem, we all got laid off due to the coronavirus. So the unemployment filing should just be pushed through, NO reviewing each and every case, we all have the same case. We need the money now to live on, not when the unemployment office decides to give it to us. Reading these comments on here, we are all suffering with the same thing on our claims, "Pending Resolution" what does that mean anyway? There is no " RESOLUTION" it's called "CORONAVIRUS" and it's here to stay for a long time, so it doesn't have to be "REVIEWED" or "PENDING" it needs to be taken care of now, and get us our money, so we don't lose our homes, are family's are fed, the bills get paid. We need to hear something about our claim's. This is very, very stressful.
I too have not got a respond about my claim. I filed at the request of my employer of 3 weeks. I was furloughed on March 14; filed a week later,got a letter of Monetary Benefits at 440 a week. That's it!! We do need to get rid of all the Las Vegas based Governor, and all the rest of of are so called rep and senators!!! Its really sad when the welfare office calls people the next day, but the unemployment office doesn't call in almost 3 months!!!!!! I'm with everyone else all I do is cry, so depressed, don't know where to turn, can't get a response from anyone!!! It must be nice to pay bills or use your car, because you have gas for it, and buy toilet paper, instead of using a rag, because you don't have any money for 2 and a half months. The people that we voted for are worthless!!! Let them have the joy of wiping their asses with their own hands!!!!!!! Fed up with the government of Nevada they only care about their prestige not the people Time For Them To GO!!!!!!!!
Called unemployment as many as 500 times a day since March 20th to no avail. Website crashes, can't get any help. How are people supposed to survive months out of work and no way to get unemployment? Does anyone in charge of this fiasco have to worry about feeding their children? I think not. I am disappointed in my state and my countries leaders. Shame on you
I concur with all who feel this could have been avoided if we had a governor who knew what he was doing. Sissylak obviously didn't think this through. With the antiquated unemployment system that has been in place without alteration for as long as I can remember, the governor closed virtually all businesses in the state...except his beloved government. HE determined what was essential and what was non-essential, so keep that it mind if you do get an opportunity to return to a full-time job, when his Highness says it's OK. If anyone is interested, I've been attempting to initiate a lawsuit against the State of Nevada, the Governor, and the DETR for being derelict in their duties by not planning for this debacle before instituting the shut down.
I am straight gonna "GO POSTAL" here soon!!! I am up here in Reno looking for answers on all of this BS and came across all of you here! My first claim was 03/24....8 straight weeks of claiming/filing, 8 straight weeks OF NOTHING!!! Cannot get through on the phone! I have called 200+ times every day for a month and a half now only to be hung up on, disconnected, dropped, you name it! I have e-mailed and faxed also! My dogs have no food, I have no food, I lost everything in my storage now because all of this crap...yearbooks, pictures, sentimental items, etc!!! It is so sad because this is ALL FROM NO FAULT OF OUR OWN! I AM ABOUT READY TO LOSE IT!! I have worked here in this lovely state we call NEVADA (JOKE) since I was 13 years old (50 years old now) with no gaps in employment, never asked for unemployment, nothing!!! and I cannot get ANY HELP! Believe me, stuff is gonna hit the fan here soon, and I won't be the only one "GOIN POSTAL"!! They are messing with our lively hood, our lives, our world!! Someone needs to do something SOON!!!!It is all reeking havoc on our mental states and our emotions, I cry everyday now cuz I do not know what else to do!!