State agency making a dent in jobless-claims backlog - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The state Department of Workforce Development says it's making progress on backlogged unemployment claims, some that dated back to July.

The agency has processed about 1,400 claims in the past three weeks, although it still has just under 8,000 remaining.

A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report says most of the claims are being reviewed by hand because the applicant received an overpayment after misreporting wages, mistakenly or on purpose. Other claims are being reviewed to make sure claimants have used up all their state benefits before filing for a federal extension.

Department spokesman John Dipko says all affected claimants will receive all benefits for which they're eligible.

The department is in the process of hiring 35 part-time employees to help deal with the backlog.