LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A Las Vegas local says he’s fed up trying to get his unemployment benefits after waiting over 90 days and wants his voice heard.
“My name is Rodney Fife and not a claimant number. Your incompetence has caused more damage to Nevada than the virus has. You have failed the people of Nevada," said local Rodney Fife.
He continued to say he’s beyond frustrated after going more than 90 days without receiving unemployment benefits.
“I’m thousands of dollars in debt with all these bills piling up and I’ve had no income since March. How does the governor expect us to live?” Fife said.
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Fife says he’s made thousands of phone calls to the state employment office or DETR and got no clear answers. He says reaching out to elected officials hasn’t been any better.
“After thousands of emails and thousands of calls, I haven’t gotten a single email from any of my elected officials. Nothing from the governor’s office. Nothing from my representatives,” Fife said.
Fife said he feels the unemployment process has been a debacle and is holding the governor responsible.
“When are you going to take the reins of leadership and to the job you were elected to do? When are you going to issue an emergency directive and demand DETR and pay claims that have been sitting for 90 plus days?” Fife said.
Other claimants say they’ve also had similar issues and are demanding answers so they can pay their own bills.
“I need all the backpay so I can pay my rent and car payment,” Michael Shaw, who lives in Summerlin, said.
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DETR says its team is working closely to monitor and resolve issues as they arise. However, Fife believes the answer isn’t good enough and wants to see action taken for the sake of himself and others.
“It’s not just me. It’s thousands of other Nevadans as well. Maybe I’m just the only one ready to raise their voice and yell, but it’s beyond frustrating," Fife said.
13 Action News did reach out to the governor’s office for comment but didn’t immediately hear back from the office.
