(Washington, DC) Jobless interstate workers may now initiate claims against the District of Columbia’s Unemployment Compensation System by telephone, using a new Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.   The first phase of the Department of Employment Services’ IVR system, which began operating on February 28, 2007, allows interstate claimants – those who have worked in the District of  Columbia, but are not residents – to file unemployment compensations claims against the District by calling 202-724-7000 or toll free 1-877-319-7346.

"When workers lose their jobs and need to support their families, they need a streamlined process for obtaining the benefits to which they are entitled,” said Susan O. Gilbert, Interim Director of the DC Department of Employment Services.  “Our goal is to make it easier and more convenient for everyone working in the city to obtain unemployment services."

The IVR call center will operate weekdays from 8:30 am until 11:45 am and from 1:15 pm until 3:30 pm.   Interstate claimants also have the option of filing their claims on the Internet at dcnetworks.org.  The online system is available seven (7) days a week, twenty-four (24) hours a day.

All city residents will be able to file both their initial and reopened claims by telephone when the second phase of the IVR system is implemented later this year.  It is anticipated that the second  phase of the IVR system will be in place by August 2007.  Currently, District residents may file their claims in person at the Franklin One-Stop Career Center at 1500 Franklin Street, NE or the Naylor One-Stop Career Center at 2626 Naylor Road, SE.   They may also file for benefits on the Internet at dcnetworks.org