Rep. Summerfield Joins Call for Unemployment Relief
Bloomer – State Representative Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer) joined Assembly Republicans statewide who are calling for unemployment insurance relief to hasten claims for Wisconsinites currently out of work.
One suggestion is for the Governor to open call centers seven days a week with extended hours until the backlog is gone.
Another idea is to provide zero interest forgivable loans to individuals waiting for their unemployment claim to be adjudicated; giving the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) time to reduce the claims backlog. Specifics could be determined by the DWD and any other affiliated agencies and could be flexible, scalable, and voluntary for the applicant. After the claim is processed, any loan repayments could be used for other COVID-19 expenditures or be deposited into the Unemployment Trust Fund to help offset the drain on the fund due to the shutdown.
“Over the course of the past few months, I’ve heard from many constituents having issues with getting their unemployment benefits. Some have been waiting weeks and months for a single phone call or paycheck. We have some commonsense ideas to alleviate the backlog of claims and help Wisconsinites in need,” said Representative Summerfield.
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The 67th Assembly District includes portions of Dunn and Chippewa counties.