Unemployment compensation woes and depression

[The Straight Story]

Without going into a lot of background - I tried to get an Extension of my Ohio Unemployment benefits in October. I was told I still had an active claim in CA so I had to exhaust that first.

So I called them and re-opened my claim. Had a phone interview a week or so later and was told I would have an answer in 7 days (this was about Nov 13th). I had been trying to reach them since about that time via phone to no avail. I finally got an email reply stating they would look into it and this past Monday I finally got a reply, a denial.

(Note, I could not and cannot here in Ohio use their websites to file since I had employers in 2 different states during the 12 month period in question)

Now I can use that denial to get an extension on my Ohio claim, problem is now I cannot get a hold of anyone here as the phone lines are jammed (and I need to fax in my info to a case worker as they cannot get that info from CA themselves, so I need a name and number).

I have zero money and I have a job interview Monday, and a potential job I may start on the 15th - but I have to drive to get a drug test and background check. Car is on empty and dad's car has no heater and barely runs.

If I was going to take a flight somewhere they could look up just about anything on me and make a decision in a second, but need them to pay me? Been waiting close to 4 months total for a single check (and Ohio said my benefits would be extended no problem when CA ran out or was denied).

I was so depressed new years over this and some personal things I nearly OD'd. I don't think I can take much more. The only reason my daughter had anything for christmas was a few people helped me out, and now I cannot even get/take a job because I have no way to get there even if I do get called back.

I hope as part of fixing the economy our state and federal govt fix the system that is supposed to be there to help us. Not to mention welfare and such look at unemployment owed me as income even before I had gotten approved (because I was approved before then went to work then out of work - CA still owed me about 8k).

At any rate, a freaking mess and I hate to see what others are going through as I am sure it is worse than the crap I am going through. No wonder my marriage and mental health are on the rocks.

Fuck em.

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. congrats on the potential job. maybe you can borrow a few bucks to take bus?

[The Straight Story]

2. bus system won't take me where I need to go here

Not like real big cities here in cow town :)

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. Oh... I was afraid of that. :-(

[villager]

4. Kafka had bureaucrats pegged a century ago....

...and nothing's gotten better since.

Glad something is in the works, job-wise, TSS. Sounds like you just need to hang on for a few more days...

You back in Ohio, then, or still in Bakersfield?

[rurallib]

5. Any church or other type group that could give you a little shot of dough

to help you out short term?

[The Straight Story]

6. I might ask congress for a bail out

a few billion ought to get me through the end of the month :)

[LiberalEsto]

7. That's an idea

Call your nearest Unitarian Universalist church and ask if they can give you a hand

Edited to add a link to Ohio UU congregartions

http://www.wcnet.org/~mvuuc/othercong.html

[Hydra]

8. Persistence pays

But as you know, this is a bad time to be where you are. I can only tell you that a fellow comrade in arms salutes you for making it this far and hopes you get further still.

[stopbush]

9. I'd say that you need to have a short-term strategy to get the money

together to get to those interviews.

I've been in similar situations within the past two years. At one point, I scrounged around the house for stuff to sell on e-bay. I lucked out and made $500 in about 5 days. That allowed me to get where I needed to go.

If you're really desperate for $, try hitting up relatives first. I know its embarrassing, but it's often the avenue with the best chance for success. If not that, then try some of the remedies suggested above. If that ain't working, you may have to go the pawn shop route. Do a quick inventory of your belongings and look at them as assets that may be worth selling to get you the $ you need to get through this rough patch.

You say your marriage is on the rocks (are you separated?), but if your wife has her own income, it wouldn't be out of order for you to ask her for a loan to get you through this. After all, it will help your daughter, your family situation and possibly your marriage if you can find employment.

Again, desperate times often demand actions that we'd never think of doing, but in a capitalistic society, you have to find a way to get what you need to succeed.

Keep in mind that prayer isn't going to help, you're not going to win the lottery, the government isn't going to send you a bailout (at last if your problems with UI are any guide) and nobody is going to appear out of nowhere and say, "you look like you need some $. Here ya go." No, the best chance you have is to take the bull by horns on the SHORT TERM challenge before you.

Best of luck to you.

[The Straight Story]

10. Wife has no income and is quite ill

Still trying to get enough to pay for her meds for parkinson's, not to mention we both are on anti-depressants that have run out :(

[stopbush]

11. Sounds just awful...and like it's all really on your shoulders.

[Unrepentant Fenian]

12. Try contacting the drug Co's for help with Rx

I've seen ads on television where they will supply medications for free to people who need it. You can ask your doctor or social worker at any hospital to help you get started on that part of it anyway. Good Luck, my friend!

[backscatter712]

13. I'm going through the same shit myself.

I filed for an extension of my unemployment - at first it seemed to go smoothly - used their automated phone system, played 20 questions and completed the application, then a few days later, got some mail from them with a decision of benefits (yes, in theory, I got them) and a PIN number to use their web site to refile every two weeks. I refiled, and figured that it'd work just like the regular unemployment worked - I'd get the money direct deposited into my debit card account a couple days after I refiled.

So far, no money. I tried to call them. Their customer service lines are SLAMMED - I tried both of their published phone numbers, and all I got was busy signals or phone company "All circuits are busy." messages.

My guess is that it's in the system and processing, probably backlogged, but I need to talk to them so I can try to figure out what the holdup is. Clearly, they don't have their shit together, and meanwhile, my bank accounts are slowly draining, and I'd better have all my unemployment money that I'm theoretically entitled to when the rent comes due at the end of the month, or I'm screwed.

[liberalhistorian]

14. I'm so sorry, I 've been where you're at, and in Ohio to boot,

and I know just what you're dealing with. I moved to SD a few years ago for employment and have never regretted it, have made a new and wonderful life here and will never go back. I was just back in OH visiting for the holidays and couldn't believe how bad things were. It was much worse than when I left, and things were bad then. And I've also had the misfortune of enduring the OH Unemployment system. I know you don't have the resources to do it now, but in the future, you should think about relocating. There are few worse places to be now than OH and MI.

I know just what you're dealing with with the depression and what this kind of situation does to you psychologicall and mentally, but please try to hang in there. You have support here and if I still lived there, I'd be glad to help with transportation, etc. If you're anywhere in the Cleveland area, perhaps I could check with someone I know who could help in that way.

[The Straight Story]

15. Thanks my friend

My old boss is helping out with some gas for me Monday, so there is that.

It's just a waiting game now - just feel somewhat helpless in it all.