Unemployment insurance

19 Comments

1. Charise Van LiewMarch 21,2024 at 1:22PM UTC

   Every jurisdiction is different, but it’s often the case that you can only get customer service by going to the unemployment office in person.

2. Colleen HansonMarch 21,2024 at 1:58PM UTC

   I don't know what State you are in, but in my State it's a mess. You can only call on certain days and between certain hours. I got a denial two weeks after I applied, with no explanation, no interview, literally nothing. I tried calling repeatedly, right when the phone lines opened, and was always disconnected saying "All lines are busy, you will need to try your call again." I was never able to get through. The nearest office is over an hour away and the one time I went there it was like a lottery system just to get in; I arrived at 7:00 am and was #156 in line. After waiting over 8 hours we were told that they were done for the day and we could return the next day and do the whole thing over again. They had made it through to #73

3. AnonymousMarch 21,2024 at 2:11PM UTC

   Sometimes, if you need an advocate, your state senator or representative from your district can light a fire. At worst, they can help provide you with other resources you can tap into while waiting for your UI to come through. You can find these on your state's government (usually a .gov site) website, and most will have a zip code lookup. If you look through their bios, and one has a particular affinity for labor issues, choose that one.

4. AnonymousMarch 21,2024 at 5:21PM UTC

   You need a constituent connection for an elected official to do this case work. Please don't just choose the bio that looks the best. Bad advice.

5. AnonymousMarch 21,2024 at 10:53PM UTC

   This is what they were elected to do, and it does work. I've done it myself, at the US Senator level. After two years, what I couldn't get to happen took them two weeks to resolve. It works the same way at the state level. Being a constituent is the connection. That's why I included to search for her's with the zip code lookup. There are probably two or three to choose from, so the bios can help her decide.

6. Felecia McBrideMarch 21,2024 at 2:25PM UTC

   Have you tried contacting the company by phone?

7. AnonymousMarch 21,2024 at 2:45PM UTC

   It would do her no good to contact former employer. Ultimate, it's the state that will make the decision on whether its approved.

8. AnonymousMarch 21,2024 at 2:39PM UTC

   Call the unemployment office first thing in the morning. They should at least be able to give you the status of your claim. In my case it took a month because my former employer was dragging its feet.

9. AnonymousMarch 23,2024 at 12:41PM UTC

   I did a few times but they have it looped so tight that you never can get through to a person. I tried emailing them but even looped that. It just keeps telling me it being processed.

10. Sandy PochapinMarch 21,2024 at 5:05PM UTC

    Agree with "Anonymous" -- get in touch with your state rep's office -- if they get involved Unemployment will move like lightning. I know, it happened to me a year ago and the state rep's people were a huge help. This is what they get paid to do, help their constituents.

11. Robin MarlingMarch 21,2024 at 5:51PM UTC

    I've had to do the same. But I have never had delays. I'm familiar with government red tape. You have to dot your i-s and cross your t-s. They have a waiting period. If you're online, you have to make double sure that you read between the lines about process. Maybe going in to their office the first time might be a good idea. Good Luck!

12. Marcia SagendorphMarch 21,2024 at 9:13PM UTC

    Right there with you. I filed for unemployment in CO on Jan. 2, 2024, and every week thereafter. I just received my FIRST payment this week - March 18! I'd wait on hold for over an hour and finally speak to someone, who'd confirm it was "pending." Not much you can do but wait. Good luck!

13. AnonymousMarch 22,2024 at 8:47AM UTC

    If you are needing financial help and you don't have very much in the way of savings, applying for SNAP (food stamps) can be very helpful. Once you qualify for it, in some states - at least in CA - you can qualify for other benefits that you have been paying for all of your working life to date.

    Wishing you well on the UI and hopefully, you will find a job soon.

    You may want to see if you can work contract meanwhile. What worked for me was to post my resume on the usual job boards plus some specialty ones. It took about 2-3 months, but it resulted in three interviews, of which the third one was successful. The hiring process, once I started interviewing for the third position, took less than a week and the contract lasted 14 months. One great aspect of contract work is that the company usually needs someone urgently and if you have the qualifications, you can get in with a lot less competition. Worked out well for me because I didn't need benefits, but if you do, you can always do the contract job while looking for a "full time" opportunity. Some money is better than none! Also, you will have more recent experience on your resume, another upside.

14. AnonymousMarch 22,2024 at 12:19PM UTC

    Go into the local office ASAP. Appointments run about 2 weeks out in my area currently. I took a position out of fear 4 weeks in and started Wednesday. My appointment wasn’t until next Monday but going in usually gets you help quicker.

15. AnonymousMarch 22,2024 at 12:49PM UTC

    unfortunately, this could all be as simple as checking off a box on the unemployment clerical side and it’s happened to me and many other people go down to the office or stay on the phone till they pick up. You may have to wait an hour as ridiculous as it is and it’s painful and I empathize, but as I told my daughter, you need the money you have to jump through the hoops sadly.

16. Ces EncarnacionMarch 22,2024 at 1:30PM UTC

    Which state are you from? I was laidoff feb 26 too and applied for unemployment feb 27, and I only got 1 week’s worth of deposit yesterday (they said usually Week 1 is not paid and is considered waiting period) so the next unemployment I would get will be worth 2 weeks. 9 weeks is a long time! Are you somewhere near any of their offices? You may have to call tho prior to coming in

17. maria roseMarch 22,2024 at 3:14PM UTC

    Like many of the other commenters stated that delay in getting unemployment benefits is entirely based on your exact state location as every state has their own state employment laws regarding unemployment benefits. I agree that there’s too much confusion posted via social media about assumptions about workers rights and unemployment so you need to look up the true facts before making assumptions. I found this out myself through doing my own research the old fashioned way—looking up the actual labor laws in my state. Nowadays you can probably find an online source called “Worker Rights for Dummies “ which gives you a good overview of labor laws and worker rights for every USA state which social media conveniently forgets to mention because it doesn’t sound as popular. Yes we do need more comprehensive federal labor laws which Congress should be legislating but has not and protesting and complaining about doesn’t make it a legal right unless it is a law. In terms of applying and getting your unemployment benefits for your location, you need to do your due diligence and follow up ASAP with your local office even if it means you have to appear in person at their office until your benefits start being sent.

18. AnonymousMarch 23,2024 at 12:45PM UTC

    I am in NY. I've tried to call but no luck without being looped out of the system and I even tried emailing in their system but got looped out. I'll try to find a office to go in. I've never hear of that. Thanks for all the advice.

19. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMarch 25,2024 at 2:28AM UTC

    When I was collecting, I found the trick was to start calling like a minute or two before their business hours. Yes. you're still in a long queue, but it's not so long that you get timed out.