SAN DIEGO — A man from North Park has certified for nearly $2K in unemployment benefits after contacting News 8 for help with his frozen account.
Robert Hester, Jr. lost his job at the beginning of the pandemic, when he was worked as a shuttle bus driver at the University of San Diego.
“USD released me in May of last year, so yes, related to the pandemic,” Hester said.
He immediately filed a claim for unemployment benefits last year with the state Employment Development Department (EDD).
Hester waited for three months with no claim money coming in.
Finally, he started receiving benefits in August, after he contacted News 8 and his state assembly member at the time, Todd Gloria.
Now, one year after his original claim, Hester had to reapply with a new claim, as required by EDD.
Once again, he waited.
“I was on the phone for two hours, for two or three days, just trying to get a person,” Hester said.
So, he decided to contact News 8 again and, this time, we reached out to his state assemblyman, Chris Ward.
Within four days, Hester's new claim was certified for benefits to start flowing again.
“I am happy to report that on May 31, EDD deposited $1,902 into my Bank of America debit card account. This catches up every bit of money due,” Hester said in an email to News 8.
Good news and a little bit of Déjà vu for Hester.
He said he never figured out what the problem was with his EDD account but his advice for unemployed workers have problems with their claims: Contact the office of your state legislator.
EDD is supposed to notify claimants online when their 12-month date is coming up for re-applying. Once you file a new claim, it can take two to three weeks for the benefits to be certified.
WATCH: More EDD troubles, this time for a former shuttle bus driver