Overview
- The CACTUS unemployment platform launched on Sept. 7, with DES reporting more than 60,000 claims filed and over $13.3 million paid in the first two benefit weeks.
- DES spokesman Brett Bezio said a software issue is blocking payments for a very limited number of claimants who recently resolved prior overpayment flags.
- Several Arizonans say payments stopped for weeks and report serious hardships, including a threatened eviction and the loss of a vehicle.
- DES attributes slower service to earlier federal funding cuts that prompted about a 5% staff reduction, limiting adjudication capacity and customer support.
- Agency data show fewer new claims processed and a sharp drop in calls answered, with 1,571 calls handled in the first week of October as some residents reported four-hour in-person waits.