Thousands await jobless aid as Wisconsin leaders blame each other for failure

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major backlogs in Wisconsin's unemployment system. Families are still waiting on the Department of Workforce Development to process jobless claims filed last spring, with many missing bill payments, racking up credit card debt, facing eviction or worse. DWD officials say that they have processed more claims in the last eight months than they had in the last four years. Hurdles like outdated computer systems and understaffed call centers are slowing the process even more.

Reporting by Bram Sable-Smith in parternship with Marty Hobe of TMJ4 News. Originally published on Nov. 17, 2020.