Finially Got Approved for Unemployment Benefits

After nine weeks and with only three days left to go back to work after a layoff, I finally got approved for unemployment benefits. Talk about cutting it close. Now to wait and see how long unemployment takes to do the direct deposit.

The real crappy part is having to apply for jobs because my layoff was too long to waive the job application process. Fortunately I didn't have to go to weekly job interviews with my gas guzzling truck, that would have destroyed me. With what little I was able to save, I barely scraped by for the last two and a half months. I had to do some under the table work and borrow some money to get this far as it is, and with my first paycheck coming two weeks after starting back to work, I was going to be severely screwed if this didn't get approved.

The fact finding and adjudication process took forever even though I was certain I was eligible. I suspect they did that to try and make me give up and not have to pay out. However, the longer it took, the more determined I was to get the benefits, even if I ended up taking a crappy job and quitting after a few weeks (something I didn't want to do to any company good enough to hire me).

Moral of this story, save at least for a few months expenses and stick to a budget no matter how much money is flowing in to your bank account. Being in a feast or famine situation is pretty stressful, good thing I was saving some money in the bank and under the mattress.

a reply to: MichiganSwampBuck

Unfortunately they kind of have to do the due diligence and check up on everything because so many try to game the system and get assistance they do not have any right to receive. Glad you got sorted though, and hopefully you find a new gig soon!

Like I said, I'm back to work Monday or Tuesday and as crappy as that job is, I like it and get along with my supervisor, co-workers and other staff.

Not everything about the layoff was bad though, I had time to get a lot of work done around the house I would have likely procrastinated on. Knowing how this job will go into the future, I'll be much more diligent with my savings and hopefully won't need to depend on un-enjoyment when the time comes.

Also, I did apply for one job I hope I get an interview on. If I land that one I'll be making $6 more per hour with a longer shift.

a reply to: MichiganSwampBuck

Good planning makes for good options in a disaster.

Sounds like you just barely scraped by. I went through that crap years ago, it was horrible.
Worked at company for two years, got fired for voicing my opinions about them hiring illegals. Then had to go to Court and all that fun. The whole process took damn near a year. The last court date was in Milwaukee during an ice storm midday....
I almost said f@!k it, but im glad i didnt. I went to court, and no-one from the company showed.
Ended up with 9 months back pay, which we needed badly by that point.

I was turning wrenches in my garage for cash in mid winter with no heat.


Good luck with the interview, and keep your chin up. You should be through the worst of it by now.

I am glad I am done being an employer. I laid off my guys for part of the winter and expected them to be available if I needed them. But the stupid unemployment law changes made it so they had to go look for a job. One of my better workers found a better paying job that way, and I had to find a new experienced guy. Unemployment insurance is supposed to be a benefit to the employer so his help does not have to go find a new job for the few months there is no work in seasonal trades. I tried to talk to the unemployment office locally, the manager agreed but said their hands were tied, they had to make everyone go find a job and go to that stupid job seeking class. I did keep one worker year round, and sometimes had a worker come in for a day here and there but it was a lot of hassle with the claim, I had lots of paperwork extra for that.

a reply to: MichiganSwampBuck

Good luck on that interview!

And...yes!
Having some cash in the bank helps...sadly many cannot afford that these days!
We've been blessed lately, but I'm my younger days....not so much.

originally posted by: hombero
a reply to: MichiganSwampBuck

Good planning makes for good options in a disaster.

So true.

It wasn't so dire as some kind of an emergency or crisis, but things were lean for over a month. Now I can afford some new work shoes and I could buy a six pack (damn I'm I thirsty!).

I thought I'd add that seasonal employees that only work a certain amount of months aren't entitled to unemployment here in Michigan. So if you are seasonal, chances are you will have to find other employment when laid off. This may of course lead to the predicament Ricky found himself in when your good workers find other employment.

Plus the way they word things and how you have to jump through their hoops in unemployment is rather tricky, with any mistakes made on your part a real pain in the behind that takes even more time to straighten out. Not to mention if you decide to contest their findings, then you have to go through the whole process again. They don't make it easy on you, that's for sure.

It took me nearly a decade to get on disability, with multiple rejections for reasons such as, and I quote, being "partially ambulatory."

They told me I wasnt eligible because I can still kinda walk..

I do understand the explanation they need to weed out exploiters, but.. that doesn't seem to actually be happening. When applying for benefits like unemployment, disability, etc. it seems easier the more questionable the eligibility is. Theres a line there, of course, but there are a metric crapton of shenanigans going on. Especially when it comes to acceptance into the programs and getting the money involved.

Im still waiting for the bulk of my backpay years later. The latest thing is them telling me Im not in compliance with the law (seriously) because they seem determined to send paper checks. When I call about it, and spend literally 4-6 hours on hold or bouncing between departments, I eventually get told "yeah, you do have direct deposit setup, that shouldnt be happening." Great...

Wonder where all that money goes...

Well, well, well. Unemployment just sent me an email stating my claim has been approved.

But guess what? It's going to take 2 to 3 business days for the money to be deposited in my account. Of course longer due to the weekend. Looks like I'm not seeing any cash until Tuesday, Wednesday or perhaps even Thursday! They better deposit the full amount, but I'm thinking they may drag that out too.

Pretty much what I figured would happen. Well, at least I know I need to dig out those old work shoes and do a glue job on them. Hope I didn't toss them out, otherwise it's going to be tennis shoes for a few days and gamble they don't take a look at my feet. I guess I could wear the heavy steel-toe boots, that's total over kill though.

Good thing I have a tank and a half of gas in the ole pick-up.

a reply to: MichiganSwampBuck

Remember...
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes


Canadian joke from "20 minutes"

a reply to: MichiganSwampBuck

Can't you just be grateful that there are unemployment benefits at all (a nice socialist program).

a reply to: FyreByrd

Sure, I'm grateful, but it took so damn long to jump through the hoops it didn't help me at all when I was out of work. Plus, even though unemployment was well aware from the information I was required to provide that I would be back to work, they had me apply for a bunch of jobs that if I had been hired I would have quit to go back to my original job when I got called back. In fact, I have had to apply for jobs right up to the date I'm back to work to receive the full benefits. One job posting I was considering even asked to not apply if it was for unemployment purposes.

As far as socialism, they took money from my paychecks to pay for unemployment, so I consider my use of it as money I've already put into it. Even back when I worked a seasonal job that I couldn't claim unemployment benefits from, they still took out a percentage for the program. I'd have to say because of that fact, it isn't purely socialism because I'm getting back some of my investment into the program, distributing that money back to myself, not someone else. If the government takes money from my paycheck, I'll do whatever it takes to get it back if I can do so.

Lucky day. Unemployment just deposited the full amount. Who'd have thought?