Content Tagged As lwc
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LWC offers 'earn while you learn' program for aspiring truck drivers Play Video
February 3, 2022 8:44 PM
BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Workforce Commission is launching a new program to help combat the nationwide truck driver shortage. The "Drive Your Future" training grant offers those who qualify an opportunity to participate in a five-week apprenticeship that, if completed, will result in the student obtaining a... more » -
State-wide job fair next week, Workforce Commission hopes to put people back to work Play Video
July 28, 2021 4:38 PM
BATON ROUGE - The supplemental federal pandemic unemployment benefit is days away from running out and the Louisiana Workforce Commission is trying to get people back to work by hosting job fairs around the state. The $300 weekly federal benefit ends July 31 . It's one of the reasons... more » -
Audit reveals LWC inadvertently issued over $1 million to deceased individuals Play Video
June 21, 2021 8:10 AM
BATON ROUGE - A recent analysis of the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office revealed that the LWC inadvertently issued approximately $1.08 in payments to deceased individuals. Auditors say the money went to a total of 374 deceased individuals. The amount reportedly represents 0.013... more » -
LWC: Parishes affected by May flood eligible for disaster unemployment assistance
June 4, 2021 2:04 PM
BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) issued a Friday afternoon news release stating that at the request of Governor John Bel Edwards, President Joe Biden officially granted a major disaster declaration request for five Louisiana parishes. This makes disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) available to businesses and residents... more » -
Audit reveals LWC doled out over $6M in unemployment benefits to numerous incarcerated, possibly ineligible individuals Play Video
May 3, 2021 7:59 AM
BATON ROUGE - According to the office of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, a recent analysis of financial records belonging to the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) exposed serious discrepancies. Auditors say LWC made approximately $6.2 million in state and federal Unemployment Insurance payments to 1,195 incarcerated individuals who do not... more » -
Unemployment at its lowest point since start of pandemic
April 16, 2021 9:20 PM
BATON ROUGE - Unemployment rates are at the lowest point since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Louisiana Workforce Commission released information Friday suggesting more people are going back to work. During the week of April 11, 2020, 79,653 new unemployment claims were filed. This year, only 9,809... more » -
Woman's missing unemployment benefits may have gone to wrong bank account Play Video
April 16, 2021 5:58 PM
BATON ROUGE - There's a money mystery after a woman's unemployment benefits were deposited in the wrong bank account. And following the money trail is turning out to be a big problem for the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Kennedy Browder has had a tough time reaching out to the unemployment... more » -
Server issues to blame for Louisiana Workforce Commission internet problems Play Video
April 13, 2021 5:45 PM
BATON ROUGE - Another issue at the unemployment office blocked people from going online to file for benefits over the weekend. The Louisiana Workforce Commission is calling it a server issue that's out of its control. This comes about a month after LWC shut down its site for a... more » -
Audit reveals LWC may have issued over 97,000 erroneous payments Play Video
April 5, 2021 9:21 AM
BATON ROUGE - State officials were recently tasked with identifying potentially erroneous payments issued by the Louisiana Workforce Commission, and an analysis revealed extensive errors. A recent report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office shed light on what auditors found as they examined earnings reported to the LWC by... more » -
Unemployment site down until Wednesday; LWC updating system Play Video
March 15, 2021 5:50 PM
BATON ROUGE - There's more trouble for people on unemployment, with some complaining they've been locked out of accessing their accounts online since Saturday. Every week, people collecting unemployment benefits must file their claim and provide proof that they are actively looking for work. This ensures that they remain... more » -
Surprising tax notice for man with missing unemployment benefits Play Video
March 1, 2021 5:45 PM
BATON ROUGE - For 18 weeks last year, Karl Hamilton was furloughed from his job and hoped to collect unemployment benefits. He assumed it would take a couple of weeks for the benefits to arrive, but months went by and nothing came. Hamilton says he called the Louisiana Workforce... more » -
LWC continues to tout success as claimants complain to 2 On Your Side Play Video
February 12, 2021 6:59 PM
BATON ROUGE - With the week ending, 2 On Your Side has heard from at least 100 claimants since Monday who say they're stuck in limbo and can't get answers about their unemployment benefits. Debbie Comardelle lives in St. Charles Parish and says she never thought she would be... more » -
Overpayment notice sent in error, woman does not owe $15,000 after all Play Video
February 9, 2021 4:18 PM
BATON ROUGE - There's a new concern for people on unemployment in Louisiana. A $15,000 repayment bill sent in error to someone who's been out of work because of the pandemic. It comes as hundreds still complain to 2 On Your Side about their troubles with the Louisiana Workforce Commission.... more » -
Unemployment issues continue; LWC says backlog is zero Play Video
February 8, 2021 6:04 PM
BATON ROUGE - Friday, the Louisiana Workforce Commission published a news release that said the 30,000 identity verification backlog reported on January 8 has been cleared. Last week, over the weekend and into Monday, 2 On Your Side continued to receive emails and calls from claimants waiting to hear back... more » -
'Worst perfect storm' affecting thousands of unemployment claims Play Video
January 25, 2021 6:51 PM
BATON ROUGE - Monday, 2 On Your Side heard from the Secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission over long waits and lack of responses to unemployment claims. Sec. Ava Dejoie speaking today amid ongoing complaints about how long it's taking people to get help since they've been out of work... more » -
Governor responds as thousands continue waiting for unemployment benefits Play Video
January 22, 2021 6:45 PM
BATON ROUGE - As another week comes to a close, the Louisiana Workforce Commission still has a backlog of claimants waiting for their benefits. Friday, Governor John Bel Edwards said that the Workforce Commission is doing the best it can to catch up. WBRZ asked him what he'd like... more » -
No update from workforce commission Thursday, call for help continues Play Video
January 21, 2021 6:24 PM
BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Workforce Commission provided no new updates Thursday as thousands of unemployed people plead for help. At the Baton Rouge office, a guard stands outside the gate monitoring traffic in and out. Sometimes she speaks with visitors like Natasha Tate. "This is ridiculous. I'm... more » -
Call backlog slowly improving for Workforce Commission, thousands still waiting Play Video
January 20, 2021 6:35 PM
BATON ROUGE - The state is finally offering some answers after thousands of people were cut off from their unemployment benefits pending a fraud investigation. There are still thousands of claimants waiting to hear back from someone at the Louisiana Workforce Commission, but 2 On Your Side learned Wednesday... more » -
Unemployment emails continue to roll in, no update from LWC Tuesday Play Video
January 19, 2021 5:58 PM
BATON ROUGE - Tuesday, 2 On Your Side heard back from a handful of people who said their unemployment claim has been resolved. But for every one person who says their claim is resolved, there are dozens more who write in asking for help. Following the holiday weekend, 2... more » -
More unemployment complaints fill On Your Side inbox; La. reports thousands more seeking aid Play Video
January 15, 2021 7:16 PM
BATON ROUGE - It has been a week since the Louisiana Workforce Commission held a Zoom news conference about hiring more people to answer calls and approve claimants. This week, 2 On Your Side has been inundated with emails and calls from people who all have similar stories. Thursday,... more » -
Unemployment situation becomes dire for some; 2 On Your Side hears from dozens Play Video
January 14, 2021 7:18 PM
BATON ROUGE - The unemployment situation in Louisiana is getting dire for some. Thursday, 2 On Your Side heard from nearly 100 people who have been waiting to hear back from the Louisiana Workforce Commission. The calls and emails came from all around Louisiana, and a few calls from... more » -
Complaints fill On Your Side inbox as unemployment office hires more people to return calls Play Video
January 13, 2021 6:13 PM
BATON ROUGE - For the last few months, 2 On Your Side has been receiving multiple calls and emails every day from people caught up in a delay at the unemployment office. So far this week, 2 On Your Side has forwarded requests for help from 26 people. Many of... more » -
Man with lawsuit over lack of unemployment benefits has small victory, will keep court date Play Video
January 11, 2021 6:03 PM
BATON ROUGE - A man who filed a civil suit since he has been waiting on his unemployment benefits said his identity was finally approved Friday after a 2 On Your Side report aired. Michael Hampton learned Friday evening that his identity paperwork had been processed and he would... more » -
Man files lawsuit over lack of unemployment benefits Play Video
January 8, 2021 6:12 PM
BATON ROUGE - A man waiting on unemployment benefits has decided to sue after getting nowhere on the telephone. Michael Hampton reached out to 2 On Your Side earlier this week about his frustrations and his lawsuit. "I might be on the streets," he said. That's a thought... more » -
Mounting fraud claims taking time to vet, leaving unemployed in tough position Play Video
December 16, 2020 6:21 PM
BATON ROUGE - Last month, the Louisiana Workforce Commission announced it had received a sharp increase in fraudulent claims and would be halting payments on new claims until they could be vetted. Chris Defiore is one of the thousands in Louisiana caught up in the mess. His unemployment claim... more » -
Fraud claim not investigated, furloughed worker left puzzled as to why Play Video
November 12, 2020 6:43 PM
BATON ROUGE - In July, Drew Enlund learned he had become a victim of identity theft and a fraudulent claim for unemployment benefits was filed under his name and social security number. "The CFO of my organization contacted me and asked if I had applied for unemployment insurance, and... more » -
Suspicious bank card from Louisiana Workforce Commission mailed to home in Addis Play Video
October 2, 2020 6:15 PM
ADDIS - Two months ago, Lisa Deshotel opened a piece of mail to find a U.S. Bank ReliaCard inside. The return address on the document said it was from a Louisiana Workforce Commission with a P.O. Box in Indianapolis, IN. For weeks, Deshotel has been calling the Louisiana Workforce... more » -
LWC issues apology after sending letters to unemployed, warning they were overpaid & owe thousands Play Video
September 16, 2020 6:45 PM
BATON ROUGE - Major sticker shock for people on unemployment since some of them received mail that says they owe back thousands of dollars. The letters say people were overpaid, and they have 15 days to file an appeal or pay the money back. After WBRZ aired a 2... more » -
Work search now a requirement for Louisiana jobless Play Video
August 7, 2020 6:49 PM
BATON ROUGE - If you're collecting unemployment, you'll now be required to look for a job. That typical unemployment requirement was waved the last few months during the pandemic. With the extra Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation ending July 31, millions of Americans are now living off significantly less unemployment... more » -
Weekly federal benefits expiring at end of July Play Video
July 13, 2020 6:52 PM
BATON ROUGE - At the end of the month, the weekly $600 federal unemployment benefit will expire, leaving millions of Americans wondering what to do next. Many people out of work have depended on the benefit to cover costs during the pandemic. According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the... more » -
Louisiana unemployment compensation topping $1.4 billion
May 14, 2020 6:28 PM
BATON ROUGE - Unemployment and the tidal wave of people filing for benefits was a discussion at the Capitol Thursday. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie was there discussing updates and changes to unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic. Monday, the pandemic emergency unemployment compensation started. People who have exhausted... more » -
Additional 275 people answering unemployment calls, wait time still hours for some Play Video
April 9, 2020 6:11 PM
BATON ROUGE - When Lance Albarado was laid off from his job about a three weeks ago due to the coronavirus, he had no idea accessing unemployment aid would be so difficult. He filed for unemployment online and says he was denied. Since then, he's been trying to get... more » -
Unemployment benefits expanded to more people Play Video
March 31, 2020 6:48 PM
BATON ROUGE - More people are now eligible to apply for unemployment. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES ACT) expanded the scope of individuals who are eligible for unemployment benefits to furloughed, self-employed, or gig workers. The Louisiana Workforce Commission encourages anyone who might have been... more » -
Unemployment numbers continue to rise amid COVID-19 outbreak Play Video
March 25, 2020 4:50 PM
BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Workforce Commission says last week there were more than 70,000 Louisiana residents who filed for unemployment. The LWC typically takes claims from about 1,400 people a week but as businesses switch to a limited staff or temporarily close their doors, more people need help during... more » -
Updated office hours to accept disaster unemployment claims
September 9, 2016 10:26 AM
BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Workforce Commission has announced updated call-center office hours in order to deal with an influx of disaster unemployment assistance claims. LWC staff members will answer calls made to 1-866-783-5567 to help individuals file for DUA from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays starting... more » -
Disaster unemployment assistance comes to more parishes
September 6, 2016 10:39 AM
BATON ROUGE - More parishes are now eligible for disaster unemployment assistance with West Baton Rouge and St. James parishes now added to the list. The Louisiana Workforce Commission is currently also accepting applications for DUA from workers and self-employed individuals who lost work or earnings as a result... more »