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.

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.

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