Will You Get Your Unemployment Check? Survey Finds Millions Of Americans May Be Shut Out Of System

A historic number of Americans have recently begun filing for unemployment benefits after being laid off or furloughed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Survey results released Tuesday show that millions of these workers have been unable to file for benefits during this turbulent time.

The online survey was conducted by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). Based on its gathered data, the group determined that 3-4 out of 10 workers left unemployed by coronavirus have been unable to register for benefits. It also found that two of out 10 have not tried to apply.

“This study validates the anecdotes and news reports we’re seeing about people having trouble filing for benefits they need and deserve,” said Ben Zipperer, a co-author of the survey with Elise Gould.

EPI used Google surveys to collect results from 24,607 Americans from April 13-24

Government statistics show that around 26.5 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits since mid-March, the approximate time when most businesses began to shut down. Zipperer and Gould explained in their report how the data showed that between 8.9-13.9 million people have been effectively shut out from benefits. Statistics released by the Labor Department also found that only 71% of people who successfully filed for benefits are actually receiving their payments.

EPI also guessed that due to the alarming number of workers unable to file, the official unemployment numbers by much lower than reality.

“These findings imply the official count of unemployment insurance claims likely drastically understates the extent of employment reductions and the need for economic relief during the coronavirus crisis,”

Reports emerged early on in the economic fallout from coronavirus that newly unemployed workers were faced with crashed websites and backed-up call centers while trying to file. The enormous influx of requests appears to have shown the brittle infrastructure on which the country’s benefits system still operates.

In New Jersey and Georgia, officials have scrambled to find programmers to improve the long-outdated systems that handle unemployment requests. Many state governments also found themselves in an ironic bind, as recent economic growth had led them to cut unemployment center workers due to strong job markets.