Extra unemployment benefits in NC delayed, officials say

RALEIGH, N.C. — Some families need all the help they can get right now to get by, and even a little extra money could go a long way.

On Saturday, Channel 9 is looking into why extra unemployment benefits in North Carolina are delayed.

Earlier in September, Gov. Roy Cooper approved an extra $50 a week. But the Department of Employment Security said families might not start getting that money until the end of October.

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It’s because the program, called IBA, is now the 7th income assistance program. The DES said managing all those at the same time is tough.

“While simple to explain, it is a very, very complex application and benefit that we cannot put in place unless we know it’s going to work in our system,” said Pryor Gibson, with the DES.

The DES said a warning from lawmakers before they voted on the plan would have helped them prepare.