MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — In-person help for Alabama residents needing assistance with unemployment claims is coming to an end as a new phone appointment system will be established for the new year.

The Alabama Department of Labor, in a news release, said it is ending in-person service at the Crump Senior Center due to health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus. The last dates for such service will be Dec. 28 and Dec. 29. Appointments for those days will be available on the ADOL website, www.labor.alabama.gov, beginning Christmas Day.

Claimants can call 1-800-361-4524 beginning Jan. 3...