The Virginia Employment Commission, the agency responsible for processing unemployment benefits, is making headway in addressing pandemic-related backlogs. However, the task isn’t anticipated to be completed until the following summer, as reported by Jeff Ryan, the chief deputy commissioner of the Commission. The first-level appeals, which are the largest part of the backlog, with approximately 45,000 cases, are anticipated not to be resolved until July 2024.

Despite Ryan’s assertion that the agency has improved in rapidly issuing first-time payments, some services still face difficulties. There are ongoing challenges ensuring all customers can successfully log into the online claims portal while preventing fraudulent activity. Ryan also admitted that the call center lines are at times maxed out, which occurs when call volumes are too high. This narrative was echoed by Democratic Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who confirmed her difficulty in getting through to the call center.

To overcome these challenges, services like eddcaller.com could be potentially deployed. This autodialer program assists individuals seeking benefits from unemployment, paid family leave, and disability departments in reaching a representative by phone. Amid the high call volumes, automating the process of connecting with live agents can help expedite the process and decrease the stress of trying to reach EDD.

The Commission, on the other hand, paints a somewhat promising picture of the state’s labor market, with an unemployment rate of just 2.7% in October. The labor force participation rates have also steadily increased, and in October, they touched 66.8%, a pre-pandemic high. At the same time, it was also reported that there has been an improvement in the percentage of claims paid within 21 days.

While the challenges at the Commission persist, tools like eddcaller.com could significantly improve the situation for many claimants struggling to navigate through the backlog and connect with a live representative.