A Facebook group called “CNMI PUA Group” coordinated the event to ensure that “people up on Capital Hill hear the cries of the people that they have a duty to serve.”
The individuals — who wished to remain anonymous — shared their financial struggles amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and how the PUA program has become their “last hope.”
They said the CNMI Department of Labor call center is not helping them at all.
Some said every time they contact the call center to inquire about their claims, they receive information that conflicts with what they have been told in prior calls.
One claimant said the operator hung up on him.
Others said their calls do not even go through, and when their calls do go through, they are told to “be patient” and that they will be contacted by CNMI DOL for a follow-up.
However, in most cases, no follow-up calls are ever made, they said. Some said they have been waiting weeks or months just to hear from the department.
They said CNMI DOL should assign a specific worker to certain cases so that only that person will handle those cases.
To ensure accountability and transparency, they suggested that a call ticket be sent to claimants, indicating the next steps in the process as well as the name of the CNMI DOL employee the claimants spoke with.
Some of the people present for the discussion on Friday said they had received their lump sum payments. Others said they had received a weekly claim payment.
A majority of the attendees said they had experienced changing pay dates on their HireMarianas portal profiles.
They said they have been furloughed or laid off for months and have no source of income other than the assistance provided by the federal government or local social service groups.
Many were parents with young children to feed, worried about their families as well as their car payments, mortgage or rent.
Some noted that although some claimants filed their claims earlier than others, these other claimants received their payments first, even though all necessary documents were submitted to the CNMI DOL by those who filed their claims earlier.
Claimants with a C11 status who are eligible for PUA were told that they could not avail themselves of the program despite having sufficient proof of eligibility from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
C11 status is provided to “an alien paroled into the United States in the public interest or temporarily for emergency reasons.”
Other claimants who are U.S. citizens said they submitted their claims months ago with all of the necessary documentation, but they still have not received a single penny from the PUA program.
They said the federal government should look into CNMI DOL’s handling of the program and ensure that what CNMI DOL submits on paper to the U.S. Department of Labor aligns with what is actually occurring in the Commonwealth.
The claimants are also calling for the resignation of CNMI DOL Secretary Vicky Benavente.
Today, Tuesday, the claimants said they will meet with attorneys to discuss the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the CNMI government.
‘The work has not stopped’
Asked for comment, Press Secretary Kevin Bautista issued the following statement:
“The CNMI government has fully prioritized the proper administration of the PUA program in line with federal requirements and standards.
“Frustrations about the PUA program are rampant across the entire country, the CNMI is no different from concerns raised in Guam, Hawaii, and the other states and territories. We have expressed our frustrations as a territorial government from the eligibility requirements that prevent CWs from receiving benefits (which we have sought reconsideration) to the strict adjudication process and web portal that have been out of the control of our local DOL.
“The work has not stopped, and while PUA continues to be a complex program to administer across all states and territories, the CNMI DOL continues to manage this program in line with federal statutes and USDOL regulations. There is a strict process outlined by our federal partners in order to ensure accountability of funds and to prevent fraud. We want to see all eligible PUA claimants receive their benefits — that has been the goal from the start, and we will continue to work to get all eligible CNMI claimants their benefits.
“Along with the overall Covid-19 response, which has made the CNMI the safest place in the US, this entire administration has prioritized PUA payments to eligible claimants by mobilizing personnel and resources to fit the demands of this very complex program. Over 100 employees from across government, including employees [recalled from furlough], have been assigned to assist in adjudication and troubleshooting errors in order to expedite payments.
“USDOL has praised the CNMI Department of Labor as a model program in the country because of its compliance with federal requirements and is set to receive additional funding for unemployment relief in order to further expedite payments. As a government, this administration is doing everything it can to get payments out to eligible claimants in the most expeditious way possible within the requirements of the program. While many states and territories are in worse conditions and some are still months behind in payments through their PUA programs, CNMI DOL is slated to have 81% of all claims adjudicated by the end of the month.
“As a government, we are just as frustrated with this strict program, but federal funds require strict compliance. We ask all eligible claimants to remain patient as over 100 employees at the CNMI PUA program are reviewing claims and expediting payments from Monday to Saturday until 7:30 p.m.”
