Kentucky Unemployment Insurance implements new procedures to manage influx of claims

FRANKFORT, KY (LEX 18) — In an effort to help the large influx of Kentuckians filing for unemployment insurance benefits, the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet is implementing new filing procedures and starting new local office phone lines.

Kentuckians filing for unemployment insurance should follow a schedule that follows the first initial of their last name as to what day their claim can be filed. You can see that schedule below.

“We are putting this new procedure in place so that we can handle the large influx of new claims that we are seeing this week. The number of UI claims being processed by the cabinet has jumped significantly after new restrictions were placed on restaurants and other public places,” said EWDC Deputy Secretary Josh Benton.

Kentucky Career Centers across the state have been closed to the public to prevent the spread of COVID-19 but KCC workers are still providing services by phone and videoconference.

Below is the location and phone number to call for Kentucky Career Centers services including unemployment insurance questions.

You can also call the UI Help Line at 502-564-2900, if they have questions.

“My obligation is to keep people safe during this time. I realize many of the steps I am taking to protect Kentuckians during this COVID-19 emergency are affecting employers and workers financially,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Temporarily waiving some of the UI benefit rules during this time is one step I can do to help protect Kentuckians financially. I know this is a difficult time but we are going to get through this by working together to help each other.”