Kansas’ unemployment program has introduced a new, modernized system after facing years of issues involving fraud, delayed claims, and long waiting periods. The announcement regarding the online claim system, which has been three years in the making, was made on Friday by Gov. Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Labor secretary Amber Shultz. The updated system is expected to solve problems faced by the old system, which was described as slow, inefficient, and unresponsive .

Kansas’ previous unemployment system failed to effectively manage a historic number of unemployment claims during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, with numerous claims deemed fraudulent. It was conceded by officials that the system should have been updated years prior. Gov. Kelly likened the transformation of the old system to upgrading from a rotary phone to a smartphone. The modernization of the system cost over $40 million, and it was noted that continuous investment in technology is essential to avoid future inefficiency.

The new system, which can be accessed at KansasUI.gov, was launched earlier this week. Despite initial issues with the system’s multi-factor authentication affecting some users, the situation has been rectified. With the introduction of the new system, the filings of claims are steadily returning to normal levels.

In the modernized approach to handling unemployment claims, it is crucial for staff and claimants to have a reliable line of communication with the Kansas Department of Labor. This fosters a better understanding of the online system and can help address potential issues early. For individuals seeking information about unemployment services in other states, websites such as eddcaller.com can offer guidance on how to contact the respective departments for assistance.