Greenville Reporter

North Carolina Rep. John Bell (R-Greene) is claiming Gov. Roy Cooper has inadequate unemployment insurance response as hundreds of North Carolinians aren't receiving their benefits.

Many residents of North Carolina have waited two months instead of the typical two weeks it takes to receive unemployment benefits, the News & Observer reported recently. While the unemployed wait for their benefits, they receive little to no information on their unemployment insurance from local or state officials.

Cooper said during a news conference that he is asking the unemployment office to be more efficient, according to the News & Observer.

“I am pushing them to move faster,” Cooper said, the News & Observer reported.

But some officials don't think this is enough and are calling on the governor to do more, according to the News & Observer. 

Sen. Jeff Jackson (R-Mecklenburg) told the News & Observer in an email that having employees answer the phone to residents needing help from the unemployment office isn't enough.

"They have to make sure the person who answers can actually help. And that’s been an issue," he told the News & Observer. 

According to the  News & Observer,  Cooper needs to do more to deal with the unemployment benefits crisis that's unfolding and address the backlog in the system.

Bell said he agrees, according to a Facebook post.

"I agree," he said on Facebook. "The Governor must do more. Over 300k people are still waiting for help. Some cases are taking as long as two months."