Thousands still eligible for unemployment but haven’t requested payment, officials say

The Georgia Department of Labor says thousands of people who are eligible for unemployment insurance have never requested a payment.

The state says 32,614 people could still qualify for benefits.

The DOL also said 92% of all valid unemployment insurance claims have been paid, despite complaints that some people aren’t getting their benefits.

The department said many people are not eligible for payment per state and federal law and that over 135,000 claims have been filed by people who haven't worked in the past 18 months, which makes them ineligible. People also don't qualify if they were fired for cause or quit their job of their own accord.

"Of the 65,000 claims that have not been paid to date and are valid to be paid, 20,000 of them have already been deemed ineligible after a review by the department," officials said.

Over 38,000 claims are still under review pending the claimant's reason for leaving their job or the fact that they've received other financial payments like severance or retirement pay.

“Unemployment insurance is not a guaranteed benefit,” Commissioner of Labor Mark Bulter said. “Each claim has to be thoroughly reviewed for eligibility before payments can be issued.”

Cox Media Group