US: Long lines add to frustration for Oklahoma jobless

The unemployment lines at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission were in the hundreds Thursday as people waited for answers.

The earliest people arrived at the building was around 9 p.m. Wednesday. By 4 a.m. Thursday, the line was already more than 100 people.

"If I come tomorrow does that mean I need to be here at seven tonight? I mean its four o'clock right now and there is more people than the peak of yesterday," says Keith Steinhour, who has waited in line for the past two days.

After the doors opened Thursday, only 170 people were allowed inside before the line was cut off.

OESC interim director Shelley Zumwalt said she understands there are many problems, including a lack of workers in the office

"We are reacting to the situation in real time to make sure that we can have adequate staff for the situation," she said.

Nationwide, another 1.5 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week.

However, that's the 12th straight drop and a sign that layoffs are slowing but still at a painfully high level.

(Representative Image)