Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Filing for Unemployment
Filing for unemployment is not one of my favorite things to do. However, each time I file I resent the process less and less. When I filed this season—nearly a month ago—it was actually pretty easy. As I expected, the state wanted a follow up call to confirm my information. The state employee was actually friendly! I was rather astonished, but I was also grateful.
Regardless, I have still not received my first check even though I filed a month ago. Why? Because some of the information I filled out was contradictory according to the state. So, I had to file the same form again. I am still waiting for the check. Unfortunately, I did not follow my own advice and make a copy of the form I sent in. Foolish me. If I had, I would be able to locate what they were talking about. And in spite of how I rack my brain, I do not grasp how the information I gave them was contradictory. Alas, maybe some day I will decipher the employment department’s thinking process.
Last year, when I was first going through this process, I had no idea these kinds of delays took place. I did not plan ahead, and my finances were not ready for this kind of problem. This year, I tried to plan ahead and have some reserve cash just in case the state delayed my pay. And they have. And my life has been less stressed as a result of my foresight.
So, my gentle advice to you is to document everything and try to have a couple hundred bucks socked away somewhere. If you do, then the checks will probably arrive on time. But if you don’t, more than likely the state will want follow up interviews. I know it sounds pessimistic of me, but dealing with large bureaucracies is a matter of patience, perseverance, and long-term planning.