Connecticut lawmakers are pushing for answers about long delays being reported in the processing of unemployment checks in the state for more than a year after the start of the pandemic.

Bridgeport resident Kevin Basta worked as a mechanic and a Pop Warner football coach. He hit a bump in the road when a workplace injury left him on the sidelines.

Basta received worker’s compensation at first, then he realized he was eligible to file for unemployment. However, he has yet to receive a single unemployment check two months after filing.

"Every day I wake up not knowing what's going to happen, not knowing how I'm going to pay my bills, how I'm going to put food on the table,” he says.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal says, “This delay in Kevin Basta's unemployment benefits is simply unacceptable. I'm going to be looking into it."

Sens. Dennis Bradley and Tony Hwang also say they are demanding answers about delays being reported in processing unemployment benefits by many local residents.

"Because there are so many applicants submitting applications virtually online, it's causing a tremendous amount of delay,” Bradley says.

Hwang adds, “Bureaucracy might be a culprit in regards to these delays, but I also just spoke to the commissioner of labor."

Hwang told News 12 the state labor commissioner has personally assured him that when it comes to the kind of delays residents like Basta are experiencing, the problem will soon be resolved.

Basta says he's not looking for a hand out, just what's rightfully owed him.

“These are funds that the employer and the employee pay into and we should not have to go through a fight to receive them when we need them,” he says.

Blumenthal, along with two state senators, say they will investigate Basta's case and do everything in their power to get it resolved quickly.