While some Nevadan’s are returning to work, we are still seeing record breaking unemployment numbers, with many still unable to contact the unemployment office to receive benefits.
Keith Lee is a Reno resident and former geothermal plant worker who has been trying to collect unemployment since he was laid off at the end of March. Keith says he's been calling the unemployment office hundreds of times -- each and every day.
"I've even gone down to the unemployment office, which the unemployment office is closed, but I figured I would go down there in the morning anyway, you know? I know that everyone down there is busy there and I know they have been working their butt off too, but I figured it was [worth] a shot," said Keith.
After Keith was laid off, he filed for unemployment online, but accidentally pressed the wrong button, causing his claim to be denied and further documentation to be required to fix it. After faxing what was needed ten weeks ago, he still has no reply from the DETR office, and is looking for answers.
"An email or some way for us to know that, you know, we still exist and are going to get to us, would be amazing."
Keith and his son now have to rely on his wife Crystal's income at $14 an hour to survive, as well as borrowing money from relatives.
"There's no just going to the grocery store and we decide we want something specific for dinner, it's making a menu, sticking to it, and it's as on the lower end as we can go," said Crystal.
Keith was told to look for work in his field, but with little luck. This story is all too common, especially in Nevada. According to the Bureau of Labor, the national average is sitting at 13 percent, but Nevada’s unemployment is in last place at a little over 25 percent.
For now, Keith and Crystal are taking it day by day, and stretching every dollar as far as they can until they can get some kind of relief.
