By KRWG News
New Mexico – The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, the state's unemployment office, is getting slammed with phone calls from people needing unemployment benefits.
KRQE-TV reports more than 26,000 calls came into the office last week. Handling the calls are about 25 to 30 customer service representatives at any given time, although more staff have been hired and are in training.
Some of those calling in and seeking benefits complain they're on hold too long.
Workforce Solutions administrators say it's a busy time because of seasonal layoffs following the holidays.
State workers are also handling the federal unemployment extension that Congress passed and the president signed in mid-December.
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Information from: KRQE-TV, http://www.krqe.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.