LAKE COUNTY ? Busy telephone lines, a crashed Web site and pages of information may slow Lake County”s unemployed, 15.7 percent, from accessing help.
Unemployment in Lake County inched up .2 percentage points in June, accounting for about 90 more people who may look to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) for benefits, according to EDD. More than 4,000 Lake County residents do not have jobs.
Lake County has a higher unemployment rate than most counties, with California”s unemployment averaging out to 11.6 percent with more than 2.1 million people unemployed, EDD reported.
County unemployment has doubled in two years.
The nation has 9.4 percent unemployment in July with 14.5 million people out of job, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Unemployment Insurance Program provides weekly payments for people who lost their jobs “at no fault of their own,” according to EDD.
Employee taxes fund the program. In order to file for unemployment benefits, Californians must compile personal and employment information and then contact California EDD online, by phone, mail or fax.
People who e-file have to check a box saying they”ve read about seven screens of information before filing their applications.
Lake County One-Stop did not immediately reply Monday to a request for comment.
Unemployment claims can be filed at edd.ca.gov by clicking on filing a claim under unemployment. The phone line to call to file a claim is 1-800-300-5616 and to check information or find One Stop locations call, 1-866-333-4606.
Lake County One-Stop provides employment services at 55 First St. in Lakeport and can be reached by calling 263-0630.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
