LANSING, Mich. — People trying to get into an unemployment office were locked out with no clear explanation.
They reached out to FOX 47 News after not being able to get into the Unemployment Insurance Agency Problem Resolution Office at Jolly and Cedar in Lansing.
"I was laid off. I do construction."
When Kris Gailey wasn't getting his unemployment check, he went to the office Wednesday to figure out what the hold up was.
"That's when I discovered the office was closed," he said.
A sign on the door said the office would be open on Thursday so he came back the next day, along with many others, only to find the doors locked again.
"My unemployment, unfortunately is my income two to three months out of the year. This is how I pay my bills. This is how I eat. This is how I stay warm."
Gailey said he doesn't own a computer so he couldn't fill out the claim online. He also tried the number on the sign, but all lines were busy.
The sign also told people to go to Capital Area Michigan Works for help instead which is five minutes away. Gailey said he didn't see that part.
"That is not being publicly notified to people very well."
Chris DeWitt, a spokesperson for the Unemployment Insurance Agency said the office has been closed since December 18th because of a roof leak and repairs have taken longer than expected.
"There have been a couple of dates that we thought the landlord would have repairs done and we would be able to get people back in, but unfortunately it just hasn't happened the way we would like it," DeWitt said.
DeWitt said they did try to make the closure as clear to people as possible.
"We have been updating our website and as well as using our social media platforms to try and get the word out. Obviously some people may have missed that and we apologize for that inconvenience."
DeWitt hopes the office will be open next week, but he can't say for sure.
After FOX 47 News' Carla Bayron told Gailey that there was an alternative office, he went there Thursday afternoon and after a two-hour wait, his claim did go through. He hasn't seen the money in his bank account yet.
The landlord refused to talk to FOX 47 News about the roof problems and told Bayron to get off the property.
