(AP) -- South Carolina's unemployment agency is making it easier for jobless people to get their benefits.
The state Department of Employment and Workforce announced Wednesday that people can go to a new website that allows them to request their weekly payments, check their claim's status and apply for jobs online.
They previously had to either call or go to their local unemployment office to request benefits.
Agency spokeswoman Mary-Kathryn Craft says the online system is designed to save time and money for customers and shorten lines in local offices. The hope is that employees will be able to focus on matching workers to available jobs.
Craft says the website has been in the works for several months.
Jobless workers can sign up by clicking here.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
