NEW: Labor Department Extends Hours For TeleServe Service

NEW: Labor Department Extends Hours For TeleServe Service

Unemployed Rhode Islanders that have been unable to file insurance or benefits claims due to the power outages caused by Hurricane Irene will be allowed more time to use the automated telephone service provided by the RI Department of Labor and Training.

Today only, the department is opening its TeleServe automated telephone system early, at 12:00 noon rather than 3:00 p.m., to accommodate a higher volume of claimants certifying for benefits. This week, the TeleServe phone system, available at (401) 243-9600, is open as follows:

▪ Wednesday (extended afternoon hours): 12:01 a.m. to 5:30 a.m., 12:00 noon to 6:30 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.

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▪ Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (regular hours): 12:01 a.m. to 5:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.

In addition to the automated telephone system, the TeleServe Online automated internet-based system allows claimants to certify for payments at any hour at https://teleserve.dlt.ri.gov. Every unemployment insurance claimant is required to certify for benefits each week in order to receive a benefit payment. The deadline to certify for benefits without payment interruption is Friday at 12:00 noon.

On Tuesday, Aug. 30 and Thursday, Sept. 1 of this week only, the Unemployment Insurance Call Center will extend its normal hours of operation until 5:00 p.m. in order to accommodate any additional claims filed via telephone. The call center may be reached at (401) 243-9100 for regular unemployment insurance benefits and (401) 462-8990 for extended benefit programs. Claims may also be filed at any hour online at http://www.dlt.ri.gov. Unemployment insurance claims should be filed within seven days of a claimant’s last day of work.

This week, the department has also expanded its hours of operation at its West Warwick and Wakefield netWORKri One-Stop Career Centers in order to accommodate claims filing and payment certification needs. On Thursday, Sept. 1, the West Warwick netWORKri, located at 1330 Main St., will expand its normal operation hours until 7:00 p.m. in order to provide unemployment insurance claimants access to telephone and internet claims filing and payment certification systems. [Note: Internet service to the West Warwick netWORKri, unavailable earlier this week due to storm damage, has now resumed.] The Wakefield netWORKri center, located at 4808 Tower Hill Rd. and normally open only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, will also open on Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to offer telephone and internet services to unemployment insurance claimants.

Both internet and telephone services are also available during regular business hours—8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Fridays—at the Pawtucket netWORKri center at 175 Main St. and the Providence netWORKri center at One Reservoir Ave. Due to storm-related damage, only telephone service is currently available at the Woonsocket netWORKri center at 219 Pond St.