SOUTHWEST FLORIDA - Weekly unemployment claims jumped to a six year high.

In Southwest Florida, unemployment rates are among the highest in the state.

Hendry County is listed as having the highest rate at 10.3%, due to seasonal job decline.

Charlotte County comes in at number five at 7.6%, Lee County is ranked sixth at 7.5%, and Collier County is ranked 17th at 6.5%.

The numbers could mean more people are looking to unemployment benefits to make ends meet.

"I've worked since I was 14 years old," said Clarence Adams of Desoto County who is finding himself unemployed for the first time.

"I've changed jobs, but I didn't change jobs without finding another one. It's hard, I know it's hard for everyone," said Adams.

He was laid off a few months ago from his a/c repair job where he worked for 15 years. He tried to look for another job, but found nothing.

So, he had to do something else he's never done before, file for unemployment.

"I've never gotten public assistance in my life, never, never. I never would apply for it because I guess I'm a little to proud," he explained.

Adams says he exhausted his 13 week unemployment benefit, but recently learned he was eligible for Emergency Unemployment Compensation.

EUC is a new law signed by President Bush, which extends unemployment by up to 13 weeks for those who have already exhausted their benefits.

But, Adams says he ran into a problem when he called the state's hot-line.

"I tried calling. Four days it took me to get through," he explained.

The Agency for Workforce Innovation, which handles unemployment compensation, tells WINK News it's aware of the issue.

A.W.I. told us it has added 200 people to its own workforce and more phone lines to deal with the influx

The agency says it has also extended call hours and encourages people to file online.

Adams got his check Thursday, which he says he appreciates, he just wonders how families would deal with such a delay.

"Five, six days of waiting, that could mean a lot to little kids," said Adams.

The extended call hours for unemployment compensation are Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 7 pm and Saturdays from 8am to 4pm.

To file a claim on-line, go to www.fluidnow.com