LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada unemployment officials expect as many as 70,000 idled self-employed, contract and gig workers will apply for $600 per week in coronavirus relief benefits promised by Congress, once phone and online systems for the state’s jobless program open on Saturday.
“We do expect a significant and high volume of callers,” new interim Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation chief Heather Korbulic told reporters during a brief videoconference about the program on Friday.
Korbulic said 100 operators at a contractors’ office are trained and able to handle Pandemic Unemployment Assistance applications and questions from applicants including ride-hail drivers, salon workers and independent contractors entitled to relief after being idled due to business closures related to the coronavirus.
