Republican state representative Joan Ballweg of Markesan says her office is helping residents who have been waiting for weeks to receive their unemployment benefits. While the state’s unemployment soared to 14.1 percent in April, so has the criticism over the speed in processing claims for benefits. As of last week more than two million weekly claims had been filed, but more than 675,000 were unpaid. Ballweg says her office is stepping in to help residents who have been unable to get through to the state office. Ballweg says many residents are getting desperate.
