WISCONSIN — The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is expanding their efforts to help people filing for unemployment.
The department has secured contracts with outside vendors to help assist claimants faster.
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With more employees on staff, the DWD is now able to extend their hours of operation from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
These new hours and increased staff will allow more callers to connect with someone at the department. Additionally, at 5 p.m. the department will stop accepting new calls and answer every call that is waiting in the queue.
There will be 500 new employees answering calls related to unemployment benefits. Additionally, there will be 40 more employees answering calls regarding Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
These employees are coming from Alorica and Beyond Vision, and some start may work as soon as next week.
"I'm incredibly appreciative and excited for the additional assistance our UI Division is getting from other DWD divisions, state agencies, and vendors," DWD Secretary Caleb Frostman said. "We need all hands on deck to help the people of Wisconsin get the resources and financial support they need during the pandemic."