Story Created:
Jan 29, 2009 at 6:30 PM EST
Story Updated:
Mar 4, 2009 at 3:22 PM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The state will provide computers and training to libraries, churches and community organizations that could help out-of-work Hoosiers apply for unemployment benefits.
State officials hope the new initiative could help reduce long lines at unemployment offices and cut down on the number of mistakes made by people applying online for benefits. The efforts come two days after new statistics showed that Indiana's December unemployment rate soared to 8.2 percent.
Indiana residents must apply online to get the benefits, a maximum of $390 a week. Many people apply at home or at libraries using Internet-accessible computers, and those who need extra help can go to a local unemployment office for assistance filling out the online application.
The state hopes that training more volunteers at churches and libraries — and loaning 200 surplus state computers to community groups — will give unemployed workers more convenient options.
"Our goal here is to just increase access for workers needing it so they're not having to drive into their local WorkOne center to receive benefits," said Teresa Voors, commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development.
The state has already partnered with libraries in Elkhart County, where the December unemployment rate topped 15 percent. Libraries there have had lines of people waiting to use computers to file unemployment claims, and the state provided training and sent staff members to help, Voors said. Since then, she said, things have been running more smoothly.
The state will hold training for libraries, churches and interested volunteers on Feb. 25. Ike Randolph, who heads the state's Office of Faith Based Community Initiatives, said church and community groups across the state have been searching for ways to assist people affected by economic problems.
"Libraries, churches and community groups across Indiana want to help their neighbors during these trying times, but some lack the computers or basic understanding of the unemployment system," Randolph said.
The Department of Workforce Development has also extended hours and hired more workers to help accommodate the growing number of unemployed workers and their claims.
Meanwhile, state lawmakers are working to fix the fund that pays unemployment benefits. The unemployment insurance fund is bankrupt, and the state has been borrowing money from the federal government to pay out-of-work Hoosiers.
Voors told a House committee Thursday that the state could owe the federal government $1 billion by the end of 2009 if something isn't done to fix the account. The fund once had a surplus of $1.6 billion, but was drained after lawmakers raised benefit payments for the unemployed and lowered employer premiums.
Lawmakers agree that the issue needs to be tackled during this legislative session, but so far there is no agreement of how to do it. They could raise premiums on employers, reduce benefits or find some combination of both.
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NOTE: Churches, libraries or community groups interested in registering for the state's training or learning about the computer loan program should contact Valerie Kroeger at the Department of Workforce Development: (317) 234-4026.
