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LAPLACE – Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the River Parishes, local offices of the Louisiana Workforce Commission have directed efforts toward helping residents with unemployment claims.

Tommy Scott III, executive director of the LA Workforce Commission’s River Parishes Business and Career Solutions Center, said many residents are filing unemployment claims for the first time. He and other LA Workforce Commission representatives remind people who feel hopeless that they are not fighting this battle alone.

Whether someone is working tirelessly on the front lines or scrambling to meet their family’s needs after an unexpected job loss, the hardships of COVID-19 are ever-present. In every situation, there are people and resources available to lend a helping hand. Communities have banded together to support essential workers, while those out of work have found some relief through a weekly $600 stipend made available through the CARES Act.

The doors of the LA Workforce Commission may be closed, but the staff is working around the clock to answer questions and guide families through the unemployment claims process.

“We offer hope by letting them know we are all in this together. People from all walks of life have been affected by this,” Scott said. “We have been available via phone and email to answer questions and inquiries. That’s something we’re proud of because there is no one size fits all model for this. Every situation is so unique. It’s great to be in a position to speak to people and help them so they can specifically address their situation and expedite their claims so they can get back to some sense of normalcy.”

Anyone who has ever had an account with the LA Workforce Commission, even if it was 15 years ago, is still registered within the system. Scott can assist with troubleshooting, password resets and updating information.

Scott said the best thing individuals can do right now is continue to file for unemployment weekly and allow the state to track the total number of benefits they are eligible for.

The $600 compensation is available to full-time and part-time workers who are eligible for at least $1 of State Unemployment Insurance Benefits or the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits. This includes self-employed and 1099 workers that would normally not receive state benefits.

If a person works more than one job, they will not be able to collect benefits for both.

The program began the week of April 4 and can provide assistance to an unemployed individual for a maximum of 16 weeks, according to Scott.

“The eligibility period depends on their company as well. If their employer is ready to re-open and they are offered an opportunity, they are expected to return to work,” Scott said. “People won’t be able to collect those benefits ‘just because.’”

In order to streamline the process of claims, the Louisiana Workforce Commission recently began staggering weekly certifications based on the last digits of a person’s social security number. Those with social security numbers ending in 0-3 file on Sunday; 4-6 file on Monday; 7-9 file on Tuesday, and all numbers are accepted Wednesday through Saturday.

In an official statement, Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie said, “The processing of large payment files and on-going programming is part of our continuing efforts to meet the historical demand for benefits, but people are receiving benefits. The LWC will never stop working to improve our systems to make filing as easy as possible.”

Scott said the LA Workforce Commission is also in contact with employers who are eager to re-open and expand their workforce. Trainings normally offered by the Workforce Commission are on hold, but Scott said individuals can still use this time to update resumes.

An ideal resume will highlight an individual’s skill sets, licenses and certifications that may be valuable in the workforce. Anyone who wants assistance with resumes is welcome to contact River Parishes Business and Career Solutions Center.

“We are gradually going to see more workforce opportunities available, and it is best for individuals to utilize this time to prepare for those opportunities,” Scott said.

For more information, visit laworks.net.