BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — An East Amherst hair salon owner filed for unemployment for the first time one month ago, and her application is still pending.
Vicki Lockhart has owned Curl Up and Dye Salon & Spa for 16 years. The salon is closed like all others across the state.
“I still have to cover my overhead for my salon, and I still have to cover my home overhead for my family," Lockhart said. "So, where am I supposed to get it from, and yes I have savings but savings only lasts for so long.”
She was told she had to send in her Schedule C to prove she was self-employed. On March 27th, she submitted the form online, emailed it, and faxed it. She has not heard back since. The mother of three, and sole provider for her family's, unemployment insurance status is still pending. In an effort to avoid any further delay, Lockhart already applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance in case her UI claim was denied. She has not heard back about that either.
“There’s nothing else we can do than just sit home and stress about this, and I feel like because now you can’t even call and talk to anybody there’s no answers," she said.
7 Eyewitness News is in touch with the Department of Labor about Lockhart's situation. A spokesperson said they're talking to the Unemployment Insurance team and will get back to us with answers.
Lockhart knows she may be unemployed longer than others. On The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Governor Andrew Cuomo said that hair salons will re-open later than many other businesses.
