I can understand why jobless benefits are elusive (BDN, Dec. 1). Facing the prospect of being unemployed in January, I tried to gain information about Maine’s unemployment benefits. Calling the number in the phone book took several days of busy signals. When I finally got a recording, I was on hold for 17 minutes, a long distance phone call for me.

The person I finally talked to couldn’t answer my questions, but did transfer me to a machine where I could leave a message. She assured me someone would call me back. That was a week ago and I still haven’t received a call. I am just trying to get information about unemployment. Can you imagine some poor unemployed person trying to get benefits?

Diane Collar

Franklin