DWD: Average wait for unemployment benefits is 17 days

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- The Department of Workforce Development says on average, people who've applied for unemployment are getting their first checks within 17 days.

There's still a large backlog of people waiting to get anything at all.

The department says new hires and contractors are being trained and are starting work now. 

A portion of those workers will be dedicated to reviewing claims with problems.

"You have to look at everything that's happened in the last 18 months on their claim to determine if benefits are payable or not," said Emily Savard, with the DWD.

Savard says people who've committed fraud are not allowed to get the extra $600 the federal government approved.

The state is still programming its computers to process claims for people who qualify for an extension.

Savard says it hopes to have those payments flowing in June.