CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte woman said she waited nearly two months on her unemployment only to be denied by North Carolina because she wasn't diagnosed with COVID-19, all while her coworkers who were furloughed at the same time, received benefits.
Nashelly Moronta, who worked as a teaching assistant at Calvary Child Development Center, said she applied through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, or PUA. The state's letter to Moronta said she was denied because she never had coronavirus, but that didn't make sense to her because that's not why she applied for unemployment in the first place. Her coworkers got a very different response and some of them received benefits from the same furlough order.
Pre-pandemic photos show Moronta listening to the needs of little ones in the child development center where she worked but she says the state of North Carolina has not shown her the same respect.
“I’ve gotten hung up on, I’ve been on hold for hours,” Moronta said.
She first applied for unemployment benefits when she received a notice from her employer in April she'd be furloughed beginning May 16.
“I was freaking out, I’ve never been unemployed,” Moronta said.
As she waited, Moronta's bills continued to pile up; student loans, rent and then she had a car accident. It wasn't until the middle of July she received an answer from the state. But it wasn't the news she was hoping for.
“I’m trying to not to cry because I have so many things to pay for, sorry,” said Moronta as she put her hands over her eyes.
According to the letter from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, she was denied benefits from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program. The letter says she was ineligible because she was not diagnosed with COVID-19.
“Never did I put on my claim that I was furloughed or laid off due to having COVID, it was because of the pandemic, so I’m confused on that part,” Moronta said.
While Moronta was denied, her coworkers were granted benefits.
“Everything is the same as mine,” said Meredith Moore, one of Moronta's coworkers at Calvary Child Development Center.
In fact, Moore said she had the same job title and was furloughed at the same time, but she’s been receiving PUA benefits since back in May.
“It was one week from the time I had applied,” said Moore.
“They are receiving their benefits and I’m not,” said Moronta.
Moore said it's "not at all" fair how the system has treated Moronta's claim, saying she's the same as others from Calvary who applied for benefits.
Moronta said she reached out to the Defenders team, after seeing a previous investigation about Margaret Rossetti. The travel agent became unemployed during the pandemic. She was initially denied PUA benefits, but the state reversed their decision a day after the Defenders investigation aired.
“In less than 24 hours, everything was resolved,” Rossetti said.
“When I saw your name, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s Alex Shabad, the one who just did Margaret’s story,’” said Moronta.
Now, Moronta is hoping someone from the state will listen to her, too.
“I just want to get someone who can be effective and get me answers,” said Moronta.
Moronta said she’s been offered her job back in the coming weeks, but she is currently looking for other places to work.