Aiken Employment Office Busy With Unemployment Extensions

Aiken, SC—The wait is inevitable, and for most, expected.

Tiffani Smith, filing for Unemployment extension: “Two and a half hours…”

Tiffani Smith is going on hour number three…she’s here to file an extension, taking advantage of the new program that allows people who are out of work, to get up to another 7 weeks of unemployment benefits.

Smith: “This helps pay the bills when we cannot find a job.”

Tina Barfield, Area Director: “I mean, we’ve gotten folks that haven’t gotten checks for 2-3 months, some folks, so this additional 7 weeks of benefits, really helps out a lot.“

Despite this packed room, Aiken County’s unemployment numbers are getting better.

Barfield: “As a matter of fact, Aiken County is below the national level at 9.4%”

But, that’s not much comfort for Tiffani, who is still out of work. To hear that the “unemployment numbers” are slowly going down is still frustrating.

Smith: “Because it doesn’t seem like it’s leveling out or clearing out. None whatsoever for us, because we’re here everyday. I know it’s not just me, it’s everybody. We’re out there everyday looking for jobs, and there’s so many people, it’s limited as to what you can get.“

So many of those still out of work, are here, trying to get that extra help…and since each extension must be handled individually, yes, the waiting is a sure thing.

Barfield: “Lines are very long, we do appreciate everyone’s patience when they come in.”

Tiffani says she’s willing to stick it out, because after being out of work for a year, in the grand scheme of things, three hours, doesn’t seem that bad.

Smith: “It’s worth the wait, I think. The wait is a little ridiculous, but it’s worth the wait, to get the extra weeks, because otherwise, you can’t pay your bills.“

Not everyone is eligible for that extension. One woman we spoke with was at the office for the second day, only to be told her unemployment has run out.