Residents struggle to access unemployment funds because of ReliaCard

Residents are currently struggling to access their unemployment funds because of a company called ReliaCard.

With unemployment claims taking weeks to be processed.... people didn't think the system could get any worse.... until it did.... now the new issue is with the company that distributes the unemployment funds.

Kezi 9 news reporter emma withrow is live in the studio to explain more.

That is right matt and renee the issues all stem from a company called relia-card... which is ironic because from the sounds of people i've spoken with its the furthest thing from reliable.

Here's the way it's supposed to work: once you're unemployment claim is approved... reliacard.... sends you a debit card in the mail.

It's preloaded with your unemployment money...and will continue to refill once your benefits come through each week.

But here's the problem.

For many... the card never comes.

We received over 100 comments in a couple hours when we asked our viewers on facebook if they were having problems. and when they call the company they can't get through.

With this card being the only way to receive their unemployment funds many are panicking not having access to the vital income.

I spoke to a woman who is currently trying to access her unemployment funds and after two weeks she sounds pretty discouraged.

You knw back in march at the end of march and the beginning of april when you've called probably 10 days and probably 50 times per day you just kind of give up relia-card released a statement to another media outlet saying they are quote more than doubling the call center staff dedicated to serve these customers and will continue to increase capacity into may.

End quote out of the hundreds of people having issues with relia-card... two women i spoke with today said they finally received their debit cards.

One of them did so by applying before the rush of people from the pandemic, and the other did so by reaching out to relia-card's media relations phone number.

Reporting live in