We know that there are many Nevadans who are having issues filing for unemployment. We got some information on possible backups.
The Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation says that calling the centers with multiple phones or using other technologies for robo-calling will not make the process go any faster.
They add emailing other DETR email accounts or calling other numbers in an attempt to reach a claim center may also delay service for you and others.
They also answered other questions. You can read them below or in the document attached.
All programs:
Q: What action should claimants take regarding bank card fraud and theft? A: Claimants need to work with their banking institutions or Bank of America card services if they believe their bank account or card has been used or accessed fraudulently. Filers should contact your local law enforcement agency regarding theft of property, and the Attorney General’s office to report identity theft.
Q: Can employees refuse to return to work? A: Employees may not refuse suitable work offered by an employer due to general concerns about COVID 19 exposures or the possibility of exposure. Employees with bona fide direction from a medical professional instructing you to remain quarantined due to COVID may still be eligible during a quarantine period. Employees must demonstrate a good faith effort to work with their employer regarding their concern about any COVID exposure. Failure to do so may result in benefit denial. Employees who feel that their employer is not abiding by an employment agreement regarding safety should contact the State Labor Commissioner or Business and Industry OSHA office for further information.
Q: Can employees returning to work part-time still collect benefits? A: Maybe; it depends on the wages earned and the employees weekly benefit amount, the reason for the reduced work, or dramatic changes in the working environment due to COVID reasons that reduces your hours for a work week. Individuals eligibility will depend on specific details of each claim and work agreement.
Fraud:
Q: Is there fraud in UI and PUA and what does this mean? A: Yes, there are multiple types of fraud that may occur in either traditional UI or PUA. Persons reporting that they are eligible for benefits after the adjudication process or an investigation are determined ineligible may be determined to be fraud. Additionally, there are organized groups have been known to steal the identities of legitimate persons and submit claims that appear to be legitimate on the surface but are in fact fraudulent. These include organized groups, artificial intelligence, and other cyber based fraudsters that are actively working to obtain UI and/or CARES Act program dollars that they are not entitled to. These fraudsters use various tactics and methodologies to gain access to your personal information, overload systems through spamming and social media misdirection, and pressure to try and have money released to them. Their actions are intentional and create access issues and delays for legitimate filers. Their intent is criminal and creates frustration for Nevadans with legitimate claims.
If you suspect you or someone else has been the victim of UI or CARES Act program fraud in Nevada, we ask that you go to the DETR website and select the Fraud Reporting Form under “ Quick Links”.
Phones and Email access to call centers:
Q. How do I reach someone to get my questions answered?
A: Traditional UI claim questions are answered through our DETR UI call centers:
- Northern Nevada: (775) 684-0350
- Southern Nevada: (702) 486-0350
- Rural Areas and Out of State Callers: (888) 890-8211
PUA claim questions are answered through our Alorica call center: (800) 603-9681
Some tips before calling:
- Check your claim online. Staff continue to work on claims and the first updated information will be provided on your online account.
- Calling the call centers with multiple phones or using other technologies for robocalling will not result in faster service. These may actually result in delays for access for you and other filers needing assistance.
- Emailing other DETR email accounts or calling other numbers in an attempt to reach a claim center may also delay service for you and others.
- If you need to provide documentation for your UI claim, we ask that you mail the information to DETR; for PUA filers you must upload this documentation to your claim.
Unemployment Insurance (UI):
Q: What is the status of Nevada’s unemployment trust fund and the rate at which it’s being used up?
A: Benefit payment rates remain high, with over $120 million paid out last week. This week’s report shows 7.5 weeks of benefits remaining in the Trust Fund at the current benefit payment rate. Additional sources of funds may stretch the fund further – in August, employer contributions for wages from April-June will be due, and DETR is working with the US Department of Labor to get federal reimbursement for the first week of benefits in each claim, under a provision from the CARES Act. DETR also continues to pay federally funded benefits through the FPUC, PEUC, and PUA programs created by the CARES Act. None of the funds for any of these programs come through the state Trust Fund.
Should benefit payments remain high and the Trust Fund be exhausted, Nevada would likely first turn to federal borrowing under Title XII of the Social Security Act. As of July 1, seven other states have begun to use Title XII loans to finance their state unemployment benefits. Based on the provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, such loans are interest-free through the end of the year. Beyond that point, DETR will work with appropriate parties within the state to explore the most effective means of paying for these benefits in both the short and long term. Trust Fund data is publicly available and posted on a regular basis by the US Treasury.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA):
Q: Is there a time frame for which PUA recipients would be eligible for CARES Act funds?
A: PUA is payable back to the week of February 2, provided a claimant is eligible in those weeks. It is important to note that in order to qualify for PUA for any particular week, a claimant must be unemployed, partially unemployed, unable to work or unavailable for work in that week due to a COVID-19 reason provided by the US Department of Labor. Concerning independent contractors, US DOL guidance states in part: “an individual who works as an independent contractor with reportable income may also qualify for PUA benefits if he or she is unemployed, partially employed, or unable or unavailable to work because the COVID-19 public health emergency has severely limited his or her ability to continue performing his or her customary work activities, and has thereby forced the individual to suspend such activities” (emphasis added). US DOL guidance does not provide an example of benefits being payable due to a reduction in income alone. DETR will review and make eligibility determinations on the basis of an individual’s unique circumstances in accordance with federal guidance and the provisions of the CARES Act.
Q: Can DETR provide clarification on how a PUA claimant may be newly eligible for standard UI benefits with the quarter change?
A: US DOL requires that claimants who are potentially eligible for UI not be paid PUA until UI eligibility is resolved. At the change of each quarter, a new quarter of wages becomes available to claimants to potentially establish a UI claim. PUA claimants who have wages in the new quarter will need their claim evaluated to check for potential UI eligibility before PUA payment can resume. Please watch our website for upcoming guidance this week on the quarter change.
Q: Other eligibility issues- what is this?
A: Claimants that have received notification of their financial eligibility may still have program eligibility issues requiring resolution. Claimants seeing “other eligibility issues” or non-payment on their claim still have adjudication or investigation steps occurring on their claim. DETR is required by law and DOL guidance to verify identity, labor force attachment in Nevada at the time of eligibility and determine if a filer has traditional UI eligibility in order to receive benefits. Additionally, DETR is charged with insuring that claims filed are legitimate and not a fraudulent attempt to obtain benefits. DETR has added additional resources to complete these steps and is leveraging technology solutions with our vendor to make eligibility determinations as soon as possible on each claim.
Q: Where does a claimant obtain technical support for PUA claim filing?
A: Claimants can reset their account through the link on EmployNV.gov; EmployNV PUA - Registered User Password Reset. If you are experiencing difficulty doing this, Alorica has been provided information on how to assist with filing a claim, filing your weekly certification, and walking claimants through the resetting process for their account through the online link.
Q: PUA system problems for filers to access weekly filing or referenced glitches; is this resolved?
A: DETR actively has been working with the vendor this week as a result of the reported problems for this past weekend. DETR and our vendor GSI believe that the recent reported problems have been resolved. If filers experience problems we ask that they call the Alorica call center to report any problems and follow the representative’s instructions based on the reported issue.
