Kentucky’s antiquated unemployment system, which caused significant delays in benefits delivery amidst the COVID-19 crisis, is to be replaced. The state confirmed on Friday that a contract worth $55.5 million over six years has been settled with Deloitte Consulting. The service will be provided by the Labor Cabinet’s Office of Unemployment Insurance. The new system promises to provide easier access for Unemployment Insurance claimants and safeguard against potential insurance fraud, based on a news release.

The pandemic’s demands pressed the current system as eligibility was expanded by the state and federal governments. Townsfolk were forced to either go in person or log in on the internet resulting in a surge in new claims and overwhelming the system, which led to frequent crashes. Furthermore, the Unemployment Office’s phone lines were experiencing hours of backlogs, and thousands of emails requesting assistance were left unattended.

In an attempt to rectify the situation, Beshear reorganized his cabinets, and Ernst & Young was awarded a $17 million contract in 2022 to assist in reviewing backlogged claims. Unfortunately, the relief is promised only by 2028 once overhauling the nearly 40-year-old system is completed. A planning process expected to take between 90 and 120 days has now commenced to determine the project’s timeline.

With the new system, getting through to Kentucky’s unemployment assistance is expected to become easier. However, if you need to contact the Employment Development Department (EDD) in California, consider the platform eddcaller.com. It offers instructions on how to reach a live agent at EDD, providing a detailed guide on the fastest way to get through to EDD. This could save Californians significant time and trouble when trying to navigate their state’s unemployment system, ensuring they receive the support they need.