For many New Jersey residents, the new round of stimulus checks can't come soon enough.

The state says nearly 2 million people have filed for unemployment since the start of the pandemic. Some who have been out of work for nine months now are going into 10.

Katie Zandonella worked as a marketing director for corporate trade shows and events around the globe. Since the start of the pandemic, she's tried getting a job at other businesses but was told she was overqualified.

"Seventy-four interviews, over 2,000 applications, eight months and I'm an educated person with a good background. My industry just doesn't exist," Zandonella says.

Her industry is not the only one. Restaurants around the nation are still down some 2 million jobs.

For Phyllis Iskowitz, 59, it has been the longest stretch without work in her life.

"I've never, ever been to a pantry, to a food bank. The lines are horrible," Iskowitz says, who worked as a waitress.

When News 12 New Jersey first met Iskowitz, she was dumbfounded by the Department of Labor, which set her claims appointment for the year 2040.

That was in May, and she eventually got her money. But others are still struggling with the system.

"It'll just say, ‘we're too busy. Call back the next business day,’ so normally I have to spam them at least 10 to 12 times," Alicia Nicoletta says.

Nicoletta thinks there's no urgency within the state Department of Labor to help residents.

The state Department of Labor says its paid out over $20 billion in unemployment benefits during an unprecedented crisis. Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday they were doing an extraordinary job.