The number of Kansans waiting to see if they qualify for unemployment benefits is up considerably from last year.

The Wichita Eagle reports that more than 6,500 Kansans have been waiting to see if they qualify for unemployment benefits. That is more than twice the number of people who were waiting three months ago and four times the level in 2010.

Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita, requested the report on the backlog from the Legislative Research Department and said the problem is that the state Labor Department laid off too many judges who heard appeals.

But Labor Department officials say changes instituted since Gov. Sam Brownback took office will create a more efficient system, and that they’re re-staffing the appeals department to nearly pre-layoff levels.