Non-essential businesses in Nevada are closed due to the coronavirus, and that means those workers have to file for unemployment. We have received a number of calls and emails about problems accessing the website or call center.
"I had to call but you can't get through. So I waited on hold the first day for like eight hours trying to get hold of somebody,” said Reno resident Teri Peterson.
It's something that the unemployment office is aware of, and working to fix.
"We're looking at additional hirings of staff to help. We've also a transferred staff from other areas to assist on the phone lines as well,” said Rosa Mendez, Public Information Officer for the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR).
DETR recommends looking online first for the answers, as phone lines are limited. Now there are a couple of things you need to know when filing, like the skipping the “weekly work search activity” form.
When you perform your weekly filing, instead of filling out this page, you just click the “submit to continue” button to bypass the section. If you should have any questions about how to file or the steps you need, they do have links to YouTube videos that walk you through the process.
DETR tells us that when you file may also help you get through the process.
"One this is to try not to file Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 and 5 or 8 and 6, those are high peak times," said Mendez.
She also says it's important to remain calm and be patient, because your claim will be processed no matter how long it takes to get hold of the office.
"If it takes you two weeks to get on to actually file, whatever that time frame may be, don't worry about that. Your claim will be processed and your benefits will be retroactive to the first day of your eligibility."
If you can’t remember your username or password, and are unable to retrieve it online, you can email them at internethelp@DETR.NV.gov.
Another important thing to remember is to keep filing. Even if you haven't been approved yet, you still need to file once a week in order keep your claim active.
We received this list of resources from DETR below:
We do have an email address (internethelp@detr.nv.gov) for folks experiencing issue with their PIN and/or password and in collaboration with the Governor’s Office, have also developed a tool for constituents needing assistance with resetting their username, password or both.
That form is at: http://gov.nv.gov/Forms/Unemployment/
Also, the majority of general questions can be answered by accessing online resources listed below.
Resource & Guides:
http://ui.nv.gov/Handbooks/uinv_handbook.htm - Handbook for claimants including information about eligibility, reporting requirements, fraud, and benefit rights, etc.
http://ui.nv.gov/PDFS/UINV_Claimant_Guide.pdf - Online guide to assist you as you navigate the online filing process.
https://cms.detr.nv.gov/Content/Media/Bypass_Work_Search.pdf - Information on how to bypass the weekly work search page when completing your weekly claims online.
Claimants can also visit the YouTube link below for videos on how to maneuver DETR’s online services or search for @Nevada Unemployment Insurance YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2Bt9uR7_S376xtWwteKsdA )
Additional information also available at:
https://detr.nv.gov/Page/COVID-19_(Coronavirus)_Information_for_Claimants_and_Employers
