Colorado Woman Receives Unemployment Benefits After Months Of Struggle

Lisa Craig endured an agonizing 278 hours on hold while seeking answers about her Colorado unemployment benefits.

According to 11Alive, Lisa Craig, who endured an agonizing 278 hours on hold while seeking answers about her Colorado unemployment benefits, finally received payment in mid-November, more than five months after losing her job.

Craig’s plight gained attention when 9News reported on her situation, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals navigating the state’s unemployment system. After an arduous journey filled with numerous calls to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), Craig’s bank account reflected a payment of approximately $10,000—the amount she was owed minus taxes.

“I was just like hallelujah, praise God,” Craig told 9News. “I literally ran through the house doing a dance.”

Her struggle was emblematic of a larger issue affecting individuals caught in the web of the state’s new fraud detection system, leaving many in limbo. Craig emphasized the frustration of being on a “program integrity hold” without a clear understanding of how to address the issue.

“I just don’t know what else to do anymore,” she said in a Nov. 14 interview,..

Having depleted her savings and dipped into her 401(k) to meet financial obligations during the months without unemployment benefits, Craig’s relief upon receiving the payment was palpable. She slept 12 hours on the day the state finally addressed her claim.

CDLE issued a statement in November detailing efforts to enhance the claimants’ experience.

“We anticipate most [program integrity] issues to be cleared within a week of claimants contacting us unless there are risk factors that require additional investigation,” said Philip Spesshardt, director of Colorado’s Division of Unemployment Insurance. He emphasized the agency’s commitment to balancing the need for fraud prevention with minimizing the impact on innocent victims.

As Craig continues her job search in the marketing field, she hopes her experience brings attention to the challenges faced by those navigating the unemployment system and prompts improvements in its efficiency and responsiveness.