LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Issues regarding unemployment benefits continue for thousands of Nevadans who are still waiting to get money from the 11-week federal extension of the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, also known as PEUC.
The problem is there's no time frame for it, making it harder for families who are in dire need of cash.
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"We haven't heard anything, we don't get the true answer," said Tammy Meza, one of the many unemployed residents who says she has not received money from the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.
Meza says she is about to enter her eighth week waiting and still no relief in sight.
"The food pantries are miles long," she said. "The churches can only handle so many people."
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"It’s just getting very difficult," Meza continued. "We're just expecting our government officials to help us out with those federal funds that were given on Jan. 8 to the state to help us."
Shannon Mann says she's called DETR several times hoping for an answer. While most representatives have been nice and comprehensive, one of them told her to stop calling.
"They're saying that there are technical and programming issues," said Mann. "That they're waiting for the funds to be implemented… and I’m like, I’m not going to stop calling until I get an answer."
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"I'm not just calling for my behalf," Mann said, "I’m calling on everyone's behalf who is going through this."
Some of those waiting for their money are members of the Facebook page she created. It’s become a support group for herself others during these difficult times, but the quest for an answer continues.
“DETR representatives are not educated or they're not getting the correspondence to give us an answer," said Mann.
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"It's so many different answers," she continued. "That makes the stress so much more on us, without having an exact answer or a time frame or date."
DETR says it understands how important this issue is and that it anticipates releasing information on the federal programs soon, but when asked for a time frame the agency did not give one.
