Credit Courtesy Bytemarks via Creative Commons Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March, many thousands of unemployment claims have gone unresolved for months. The resulting backlog has frustrated the Office of Unemployment Insurance and kept much needed financial support out of the pockets of unemployed Kentuckians. Now, that backlog has also prevented Kentucky from conducting a full and accurate audit of the unemployment insurance trust fund. Harmon said it is “imperative” that the unemployment office address the lack of reliable data, especially as the General Assembly starts work on a new budget in January. Harmon said the gap is worrisome for unemployed Kentuckians, state government, and businesses who pay taxes to replenish the unemployment trust fund.