Watch live as the Senate Budget & Taxation and Finance Committees hear from hundreds of Marylanders facing hardship as the attempt to file for unemployment. You can see the livestream via .

Chairs @GuyGuzzone and @SenatorDKelley kicked off the meeting by thanking staff at the Department of Labor working around the clock to help people navigate the UI process. Unfortunately, too many people are still waiting to receive their benefits.

We’re hearing from the first resident, Bliss Martin, providing testimony on how the process started smoothly and then abuptly stopped. “I made thousands of calls... and I was never able to get through or get into a queue.”

Ms. Martin waited on hold for eight hours and never got through to someone. Fortunately, Facebook groups of people filing for UI are helping others navigate the process. After hundreds of emails and weeks of waiting, Ms. Martin received a call from the Department yesterday.

We’re now hearing from Ms. Bell who needed to apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, but could not do so because the BEACON system could not integrate claims. She notes that there are over 20,000 people in Facebook groups for those trying to navigate the UI system.

Ms. Adams is now testifying that the new site is severely flawed, leading to dire consequences. The inability to access unemployment benefits means people are using up their savings and risking eviction because they cannot pay rent.

What’s clear from testimony is that solutions exist and people receive relief when they can get in touch with someone from the Department of Labor. The problem is simply getting through.

Chairs @GuyGuzzone and @SenatorDKelley remind everyone that the General Assembly will be compiling the issues noted in testimony today to provide them to Governor Hogan so fixes can be implemented as soon as possible.

Ms. Duenas is now testifying on how issues accessing UI benefits goes beyond the financial impact. It also means adverse health outcomes due to increased stress and lack of sleep as people stay up late and wake up early in attempts to reach someone.

Ms. Gaffney, a bartender in Howard County, has been waiting weeks to receive her benefits without be able to get a call back from the Department of Labor. Penalties have been added to her mortgage and there have already been negative impacts on credit.

Mr. Henderson has been trying to get through to the Division of Unemployment for weeks because he is kicked out of the online system every time he tries to log in. These problems with the online system are all too common.

Mr. Knight, from Prince George’s County, is twelve weeks in to his attempts to access UI benefits. The online system will not even take his claim even though he has a claimant number.

Ms. Spetter is now speaking to her experience waiting on hold for 12 hours and 41 minutes yesterday. She finally got through to someone who said they would call her back at 9am this morning, but that call still hasn’t come.

Ms. Taylor, a Howard County employee, is now testifying on behalf of her children. One is attempting to apply for UI and the other is applying for PUA, without any success. Ms. Taylor is highlighting the hard choices some parents are having to make to provide for their children.

Mr. Horner is now talking about the lack of communication from the leadership at the Department of Labor. “While I feel like the citizens of Maryland have been underserved ... the communication has been substandard. I would give it an F.”

Ms. Pena has been attempting to apply for two months and only found out yesterday, after seven weeks, that she needs to apply for PUA. The only support she has received is from @Sen_Klausmeier’s office who is attempting to connect her to the Dept. of Labor.

Ms. White is going to be induced on Friday and was hoping to have her UI claim successfully processed prior to then. She has now given up on that happening after waiting weeks for her situation to be resolved.

That concludes the 1-2pm hour of witnesses. The committees will be hearing testimony for the next eight hours.

Ms. Holst has logged 20+ hours in emails to BEACON support, but has not received any replies and notes that the Facebook groups continue to be a great service. It’s a systematic failure when claimants can only get answers on social media and not from the Department.

“Knowing that this situation was coming in January, we should have been prepared... it makes no sense changing vendors in the middle of a crisis.”

Ms. Perron has been waiting of assistance since the end of March. She notes that states are not equipped to facilitate programs of this magnitude, lacking sufficient staffing and computer systems to keep up with the the volume of need.

Ms. Hamorsky, a Prince George’s County resident, suggests that the Division of Unemployment Insurance employee some of their employees to answer basic process questions on social media to get answers out to as many people as possible as quickly as possible.

Each story is heartbreaking and highlights the human toll these process failures are taking on families and individuals. Fixing the problem immediately has to be of the utmost importance. #FixUnemployment

Ms. Mitchell, testifying on behalf of the Massage Therapists Association, has a simple message - “Please help... we need relief and the first step to getting that relief is getting BEACON functional.”

Mr. Ellsworth has been applying for UI since March 29th. All of his certifications are done and eligibility is shown, but after 700 phone calls, he has still not received any letters or his debit card. Five weeks later, he now needs to wait for an interview to be scheduled.

Mr. Graham of the Baltimore Restaurant Relief Group is suggesting that the Administration waive return to work dates, which are keeping Marylanders from receiving benefits when employers don’t extend deadlines with the Dept of Labor. Over 800 people have signed his petition.

Mr. Marnell waited weeks to receive his debit card and finally received it at the end of April. Unfortunately, his return to work date is noted as May 1st even though he cannot go back to his job. As a result, his benefits have been suspended unnecessarily.

Ms. Jones is yet another parent testifying on behalf of their child who is in the middle of chemotherapy for leukemia and about to lose health insurance. Parents are going to great lengths to help their children navigate the Unemployment Insurance process and need support.

We are now hearing from constituents who pre-recorded testimony as it was impossible to hear live from all 1100+ people who signed up to testify today.

After a brief pause, we are starting on the third hour of witnesses.

Ms. Toner is averaging 500 calls a day and tried 3,000 times at one point with no success. These experiences are all too common and would not happen with a functional system.

Mr. Russell, a Pasadena resident, says “the anxiety and stress levels are just enormous.” As an Uber driver, he’s concerned that multi-billion dollar companies who pay workers on a contractual basis don’t pay into the Unemployment Insurance system.

Ms. Smith is a childcare provider who has been out of work since March. She rightly asks how people are supposed to put food on their table when they aren’t receiving their benefits despite trying to call the Dept of Labor every day.

Ms. Huddleston is yet another Marylander making 500+ calls a day to the Division of Unemployment, but has yet to speak to a live person. She had nine different phone numbers saved in her phone and is spending 10 hours a day trying to get paid what she is due.

We keep hearing the same themes - those who applied under the old UI system and then need to reapply under the new BEACON system keep running into barriers. It’s clear that the BEACON system is still not living up to its promise.

Mr. Crummitt is now reading an email from a Department of Labor staff member who indicated that he had received over 1,000 emails in 24 hours and would be unable to respond to everyone. That staff member encouraged all those who received his email to seek outside resources.

Rose is now expressing the obvious disconnect between what the Administration is saying publicly versus what Marylanders are experiencing. “The one time I can stay home with my kids in 30 years.. I’m setting alarms to wake up in the middle of the night,” to try to reach someone.

@SenRosapepe notes that there is no reason that hardworking Marylanders who have paid into the UI system are unable to access benefits because the Dept of Labor has made filing so complicated.

We’re starting the 4pm hour of testimony now. You can tune-in via .

Ms. Teague, a Cecil County resident, notes that she has called over 500 times a day, every day, for three weeks. She had never spoken to a representative or even been placed into a queue. She waited 11 hours to log into the BEACON system.

Ms. Lymon is now testifying from Harford County. As a self-employed individual, she was unable to apply for UI until April and then spent 11 hours waiting to file after the BEACON system went live. Her biggest concern? Communication from the Department.

Mr. Modugno, a Frederick resident, says that, “it’s just nice to be heard.” He has been trying to access UI since mid-March, but has been unable because his situation requires a simple fix with the system. Just like everyone else, he can’t get ahold of anyone to make that fix.

Ms. Rowel from Prince George’s County finally got through to someone at the Dept of Labor at 7pm yesterday, but the computer system had just shut down. She was supposed to receive a call back this morning. Still no call.

Ms. Tapper applies for UI at the same time as her daughter. While her daughter has received payments already, Ms. Tapper still has not. While she has tried to contact @GovLarryHogan’s office, the only person she could speak with was a staff person with @SenatorCardin.

Ms. Hurley-Gardner has been unable to file for UI because, despite entering her correct address and SSN, she is told her information is incorrect and gets locked out of the system. “I don’t feel like I’m actually being heard.”

We’re now listening to more recorded testimony from a Marylander who is a diabetic and was laid off for being high risk. Despite hearing that the UI system has been fixed, he has not been able to file or receive benefits.

Yet another Marylander brings up the impossible situation she is in. “Four weeks is a long time to wait for money when you have mortgage payments that are due, cell phone bills that are due, WiFi bills that are due... I’m just hoping that someone will listen to us.”

“It’s not enough to say that we’re working on it, we have people who are fixing it. We need our money... we need someone to listen, someone to stand up, someone to take action... Please help us.” - Ms. Molina.

@Sen_Klausmeier and @Senatornjk are expressing their frustration on behalf of their constituents. “People just want to hear from a person.”

We’re taking a 10 minute break and will be back for the next set of witnesses at 5pm.

We’re back from a brief pause and beginning to hear from our witnesses scheduled for the 5pm hour.

We’re over 4 hours in and keep hearing the same themes emerge. Ms. Rosenthal tries calling multiple times a day and the system hangs up on her.

Mr. Hall as called 40,700() calls and has not been able to speak to a representative. @SenatorDKelley points out that he is speaking for thousands of other Marylanders in the same situation who won’t have their voices heard.

Mr. Laverty is bringing up the multiple layers of barriers that constituents must pass through to get help. First, they have to spend hours if not days to be added to the queue. Second, they have to wait another few hours to speak to someone. And third, they have to hope they...

are speaking with someone who can actually help them and have received the necessary training. “Maryland is the greatest state in the country and we need to get this situation straightened out.”

Mr. Clover is testifying on behalf of his wife who has been out of work for 8.5 weeks. BEACON doesn’t work for them and when they finally got through to a representative on the phone, they were told they had to file on BEACON. “We’re afraid we’re going to pushed off to the side.”

Ms. Der spent three hours yesterday getting into the queue, then another three hours on hold waiting to speak to someone. When she finally got through, the representative’s phone didn’t work and she was hung up on.

Ms. Litsinger works in dentistry and has been unable to file for unemployment since the field was forced to close. Now that she’s allowed to go back to work, she’s worried that she’ll never receive the benefits for the weeks she was out of work. “This is taking far too long.”

“Trying to file for unemployment has turned into a full-time job.” Ms. Philips

Ms. Chambers is really driving home the toll that this process is taking on applicants’ mental health. “I’m concerned that it’s exacerbating mental health concerns... we just want someone that we can literally talk to help us through this process.”

Dan from Ocean City is concerned that the inability to hear from anyone at the Department of Labor means that no one cares. We can and must do better to create a state government that works for all of our residents.

Ms. Hall is a sole proprietor who operates a cleaning business. Despite being deemed essential, she has lost 85% of her business ($11,000). When she was finally able to get a call with the Dept of Labor, it was scheduled for the middle of the night.

“If Governor Hogan is not going to give me the ability to take care of my home, my children, he needs to give me a means to do that... I’m offended by his comments on national television that it’s a privilege to receive these benefits.”

We’re five hours and dozens of witnesses into today’s hearing. Four more hours to go and we hope that the Administration is listening. Each of these Marylanders is more than a number - each person has a story that needs to be heard.

A reminder that you can watch live on YouTube at . Ms. Skornik, a teacher, is sharing her experience. “I’m a single parent and have a grown son who came back to live with me. I’m grateful he has a job, but I’m out of funds.”

Ms. Rauser, despite providing her 1099, is unable to have her request processed online. “I don’t know if it’s a glitch... I know they the system is overwhelmed, but we’re also overwhelmed and running out of money.”

“43. That’s the number of days I’ve gone without pay. I’m a single mother of three sons, Steven, Benjamin, and John... 19. That’s the number of years I’ve paid Maryland taxes... 51. The number of hours I’ve spent on hold...” - Ms. Murphy, a resident of Southern Maryland

Gary, now testifying, is speaking to the difficulties using the new BEACON system. “I’m hopeful something positive will come out of this hearing.”

Ms. Henry has not yet received her debit card and has been unable to file claims for the correct time period. Unfortunately, despite logging into the system every day, it won’t update to display the correct dates for when she is eligible for UI.

“I feel like we’re living in two different realities... one where the Department of Labor publicly posts the number of claims they’ve processed and another where over 20,000 people are in a Facebook group facing the same problems (filing for UI).” - Ms. Sargsyan

Mr. Morrow was furloughed from Macy’s and has received two letters, the second with a message to call the Department within seven days. Unfortunately, the number on the letter is always busy and that seven day period has expired. This is much too common and anxiety inducing.

Despite their individual hardship, witness after witness empathizes with the Department of Labor staff who are overworked and doing their best. Marylanders just want to speak to a representative who can help them and be heard.

Mr. Carlin-Weber, a Baltimore City resident and video editor, just wants the state government to take responsibility and not push it off on vendors. “The government needs to better respect the people which it serves.”

@BrianJFeldman is noting that the Dept of Labor put out a press release touting their success around unemployment insurance. He encourages everyone to look at that post on Facebook and read the comments to see how successful the program has been for thousands of Marylanders.

Senator @PamelaBeidle notes that her office has been sending dozens of cases to the Department of Labor and hasn’t received an adequate update, or response.

@SenatorDKelley makes the point that we need to uncomplicate the situation for the thousands of Marylanders who are in need of support to make it through this pandemic. We must do a better job taking care of one another.

We’re now in the 7pm hour of witnesses testifying at today’s online hearing. Each witness reinforces the urgency of fixing Maryland’s UI system. Each story speaks to the stress and anxiety that comes from not knowing when people will be able to pay bills that are piling up.

Mr. Griffith has received no written correspondence from the Department of Labor. Despite creating an account on BEACON, the correct weeks for filing will not show up for him to certify.

Ms. Stokes has three weeks that she has been unable to certify. She had waited on the phone for 15 hours without getting through to anyone. When she was able to leave a voicemail, it went unanswered.

Ms. Ritchie, a Westminster resident and sole proprietor, had to wait until April 24th to file for UI. “Marylanders deserve better and I deserve better.”

“When you’re used to two paychecks to make ends meet and one of those paychecks is cut in half, it makes it really hard to pay your bills... anything you can do to help because I know that other people are in the same situation.” - Ms. Reisler providing testimony now.

Ms. Ridgway, a Laurel resident, was furloughed on March 27th and successfully moved everything over to BEACON, but is now in her fifth week without pay. She spent 13 days “dialing for dollars” and has made over 5,000 calls with only two responses.

Mr. Metzger is yet another constituent whose benefits abruptly shut off in the beginning of April with no explanation. He is expressing his frustration hearing from the Governor that everything is working when it clearly is not for him and so many others.

Ms. Baucom would like to see the Department of Labor better organize callers by issue to ensure that people who only require a quick fix can receive support and those with more complicated needs can receive that robust support.

The Committees are taking another brief pause and will be back at 8pm for the 8th hour of testimony.

We’re back after a brief pause, now hearing from Ms. Salazar who is a Carroll County restaurant worker and single mother of three. While she had no issues with the original system, all of that changed when the BEACON system came online.

She is here advocating for others in the same situation. She is spending seven hours a day using a redial app to reach someone at the Dept of Labor, but have been told multiple times that staff don’t have the capability to help her.

“If we don’t get unemployment, we don’t eat... the bottom line is this is not working. I’m not saying anything new, but a solution needs to be reached.”

Mr. Kasden is an IT professional who lost his job on April 15th. He applied for UI on the 16th and was approved, but has yet to receive his benefits card. He has questions about the CARES Act and how it is being implemented for Marylanders.

Ms. Renshaw, a Timonium resident, is sharing her story and doing everything she could to run her problem up the flag pole starting with the County Council and going up to the Governor. She just heard from the Governor’s office this morning, but says her situation is atypical.

Ms. Renshaw notes that “the timing of the call is very coincidental having signed up to testify today.”

Ms. Rinderle also stopped receiving her UI payments after the system switched to BEACON. She’s now making impossible choices of spending money on her mortgage, or her medicine as she waits for her benefits to be reinstated.

Chairman @GuyGuzzone is asking staff to follow up and connect Ms. Rinderle with any available programs for immediate assistance so she does not have to choose between her home and her health.

Vanessa is a Marriott employee who hasn’t had income since April 4th. She has been unable to successfully access the BEACON system and, despite calling DLLR 15,000 times, hasn’t reached anyone. She has two kids at home and just hopes for any help from the State.

Ms. Cantler has been trying to file for her husband since April 24th. They take care of their 5 year grandson who has special needs. Instead of giving their grandson the full attention he deserves, they are forced to call and email the Dept of Labor every day without answer.

Ms. Cann is a small business owner who applied for PUA on April 24th when it became available. Despite being told there would be no delay, she was told it was take 7 days after filing. She still cannot move her claim forward and only @SenatorPeters’ office has responded to her.

We're watching additional prerecorded videos of Marylanders who couldn't take part in the hearing today live. You can hear their stories on the MGA's YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC093es-j2JTMje-CSO75mVQ.

Over and over again, our constituents are pleading for more communication from the Department of Labor. It’s important that we hear those requests and even more critical that the Department/Administration listen.

Senator Edwards is exactly right - this hearing is being held to identify problems so the Department of Labor can implement solutions in the future. What matters most is how we respond moving forward to alleviate the burden too many Marylanders are facing.

@SenBillFerg summarizes today’s importance - “I’m haunted by the number of mothers today testifying on behalf of their children... Today is not about casting aspersions or blame. Today is about providing relief and identifying solutions.”

@SenatorSarah is now thanking everyone who has shared their stories today and helped identify commonality. “I’ve heard so much empathy for fellow Marylanders... I hope and believe the Department and Governor will be listening as closely as we have been.”

We’re now in the 9th and final hour of hearing from witnesses, beginning with Ms. Rice in Baltimore County who works in the school system mentoring children. “I’m finding myself unable to help (the kids) and being as stressed as they are. I just want to get through to someone.”

Mr. Thomas is testifying now and his frustration is palpable. “This process has almost killed me from stress... I posted last night about testifying last night and, low and behold, I see that I’ve received payment today. Not a coincidence that I got paid.”

Chairman @GuyGuzzone reminds everyone watching that the House of Delegates Economic Matters Committee is holding a hearing tomorrow at 2pm where Secretary Robinson from the Dept of Labor will be testifying on Unemployment Insurance. @mdhousedems

Ms. Dean-Colley finally got through to a representative in the Towson office yesterday, but nothing has moved forward yet. That’s on top of 50 emails she has sent to the BEACON system for support. She is trying to help guide her daughters through filing for UI at the same time.

Ms. Thompson is an accountant on Kent Island advocating for other self-employed individuals, over 70% of whom do not have employees of their own. She emailed BEACON support last night with questions. While that email has been viewed 34 times, no one has responded.

Mr. Cricchio was let go from his job at the end of March, but up to today has, “not received one cent.” After reaching out to Chairman @GuyGuzzone, he has finally heard back from the Dept of Labor to schedule his phone interview.

Ms. Beacham is a small business owner of 13 years in Frederick. She is doing everything she can to navigate the BEACON system in an effort to keep her business afloat. She has submitted countless documents to demonstrate her self-employment, but has no indication if it was enough

Senator Griffith says that she was heartbroken to hear the testimony of many of the witnesses today, but also inspired by the recommendations they brought to the table on how to improve outcomes for others. She hopes the Governor is listening and will implement those suggestions.

Bobbi in Annapolis testifies they she has lost her vehicle to repossession and is being threatened by her landlord for eviction because she cannot tell him when she will be able to catch up on rent. “The system works one moment and doesn’t the next.”

There are over 325 videos that have been submitted my Marylanders who couldn't participate today. They will be uploaded to the MGA's YouTube page as they are processed and will be viewable here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC093es-j2JTMje-CSO75mVQ.

As today's hearing concludes after 9 hours of testimony, we have been both deeply saddened by the hardship that Marylanders are facing and inspired by their resilience. The impetus moving forward is to create a functional system that works for everyone, regardless of situation.

Thank you to the Marylanders who made their voices heard and provided the resounding message to @GovLarryHogan and @MD_Labor that relief cannot wait any longer. #FixUnemployment