MADISON (NBC 26) -- The Department of Workforce Development said Monday it received an unprecedented number of phone call last week at its unemployment call center. The DWD is encouraging people to file for unemployment online.
Last week, the DWD said about 115,679 new applications for unemployment benefits were filed. During that same week, DWD said its Unemployment Insurance Division received more than 1.5 million calls, an increase of 6,208% over the busiest weekly call volume.
Last Thursday alone, UI received 400,000 calls between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., at times receiving 160 calls per second. DWD said in a statement that its call system was overloaded by the volume of calls.
DWD is encouraging people to apply online so that the phone lines are open for people who have been specifically instructed to call DWD or for those people who do not have access to a computer or internet.
Many businesses have closed their doors and laid off employees due to the coronavirus outbreak. Governor Tony Evers issued a Safer At Home order earlier this month, which ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses in Wisconsin.
People can file for unemployment benefits on DWD's websiteat dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/apply/.
