Unemployment agency hires hundreds

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Hundreds of new workers have been hired by the state's Unemployment Insurance Agency to handle claims, but jobless workers trying to file for unemployment insurance still are having trouble getting help.

On Tuesday morning, calls to the agency's toll-free lines set up for those filing for unemployment or recertifying their benefits were answered by recorded messages saying all lines were busy.

The agency's director says hundreds of new phone lines and about 275 new workers have been added to help with claims. Stephen Geskey says telephone wait times have dropped from 14 minutes to six.

But the system still is straining under the need to service about 405,000 Michigan workers receiving or applying for unemployment benefits.