(WXYZ) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the high volume of filings for unemployment outpaces even the toughest week during the Great Recession.
Whitmer said Michigan's unemployment agency has been completely inundated. The state has been working to increase the website capacity.
"I understand how frustrating this can be," Whitmer said. "I want you to know we will get to you."
She said almost as many people in one day file for unemployment as those during the longest week of the Great Recession.
Whitmer said the state government is still waiting on the U.S. Department of Labor to give rules and authorization to pay.
"Please know I have done a lot to cut red tape and make it easier to apply for unemployment," Whitmer said.
The portal used to access the unemployment website was rebooted Friday night for maintenance and upgrades. The system was back up by Saturday morning.
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