People seeking unemployment benefits are noticing delays in being approved for benefits and adjudication. A spokesperson for DES attributes the delays to a 60% reduction in workforce this past summer. When asked if DES can move staffing around or hire temporary workers, the department responded that positions can only be filled when funding is available: Though we are unable to fund more roles to support these teams at this time, DES is focused on process improvements and system modernization in order to better deliver services to Arizonans as quickly as possible. DES is currently processing between 2,500 to 3,000 new initial claim applications for unemployment benefits each week.

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