The processing of Unemployment Compensation checks has been delayed due to a computer hardware problem.

A power supply in the Unemployment Compensation computer system failed Monday evening. Last evening, engineers from Unisys replaced the power supply, but the system still did not resume operation. Additional technical staff from Unisys will arrive in Columbus today to work with ODJFS staff to repair the system as quickly as possible.

"We take most seriously our responsibility to provide Unemployment Compensation checks to families," ODJFS Director Tom Hayes said. "We're putting forth every effort, and working around the clock, to ensure this delay is kept to a bare minimum."

As a result of the hardware problem, about 50,000 checks that were scheduled for processing Monday and Tuesday evenings were unable to be processed. Normally UC checks are mailed the morning after they are processed.

If the hardware problem is corrected today, the department will process checks this evening with a goal of processing Monday and Tuesday checks in addition to checks regularly scheduled for processing this evening. Under this scenario, all three day's worth of checks would be mailed Thursday.

The UC computer system dates back to the 1980s and is scheduled for replacement next year.

- 30 -

For information, contact ODJFS Communications, (614) 466-6650.