Still Jobless-and Getting Really Frustrated

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. I was off work for the holiday, so the three of us stayed in and watched the snow. My son and I got to go outside and play in the small amount of snow we had. It was such a treat for him. We also spent the day drawing and painting pictures, playing computer games, and spending some much needed quality time together. It was a great day.

My how things can change in one day!!

On Friday, we got the reimbursement check from ImagePoint for our internet service. However, because so many of these checks have been bouncing higher than Super Balls, we were afraid to deposit it. The check was written off of a Wachovia Bank account (ironic-huh?). So, we thought we would take it to the closest Wachovia Bank. Yeah, that would be in SYLVIA, NC!!! That drive would definitely not be worth the amount - $63.00. However, our bank offered us a solution. We put a hard hold on the check. That way, when (or if) Wachovia releases the funds, our bank will put the money in our account. If the check bounces, we will not be out the money. Also, it should only take 5 business days to get an answer.

Also on Friday, we got a packet of information from ImagePoint. The packet contained a letter that tried to answer many of the unanswered questions that came from the shutdown. According to the letter, ADP messed up on the payroll dates and that the employees did, in fact, get paid. It also gave information about health benefits and the 401(k) plan for the employees. In addition, the packet also contained the official Separation Notice for unemployment and a distribution form for the 401(k) plan. One good bit of info out of the letter was that the United Way was going to hold an Career Transition Fair today. This would give former employees access to certain services such as signing up for unemployment, meeting with some potential employers, getting mental health help, signing up for health benefits, and more.

We were not planning on going to the fair today. However, it's funny how things turn out sometimes. My office was closed today due to the weather. So, I thought I would try to call the Unemployment Office to try to get hubby's unemployment straightened out. See, we filed online on the 9th (the day ImagePoint closed). On Sunday, the 11th, we tried to do the Weekly Certification (just like the Guide to Unemployment tells you to do), but had questions. I called and left a message for someone to help, but never got a call back. I assumed at that point that we weren't supposed to certify that week and needed to wait until the 18th. So, on the evening of the 18th, we certified online. The online form asks if you have worked during the week in question. Well, hubby had worked that week, so we chose yes. Then, it asks how much was made during that week. We entered his salary for that week. Because we entered his salary, this disqualified him from getting unemployment benefits!! I tried calling everyone and their brother on Sunday. I mean, any organization that REQUIRES people to file something on a Sunday HAS to have people there to answer questions, right? WRONG!!! However, the one technical services person I did speak with was very kind and told me I would have to call back on Tuesday (today) since Monday was a holiday.

I don't know if you have tried calling the state Unemployment office lately. If you haven't, DON'T. I started calling at 8:00 am this morning. Throughout the next 5 hours, I got either a busy signal, a recorded message stating that "due to very high call volume, they could not accept my call", or (my personal favorite) you would be prompted to go through the entire voice prompt system only to be told after 3-4 minutes "please try again later" and disconnected. So, at 2pm, hubby, our son, and myself were standing with 200 other people inside the United Way building listening to a lady patting herself on the back for putting this fair together. OK, that may have been a little harsh, I know. But, when you are desperately trying to put your life back together, the last thing you want to hear is this lady bragging on herself. There was one lady there from the Labor and Workforce Development's Rapid Response Team who was able to answer my question - we have to refile for hubby's unemployment. We may even lose a week's benefits because I filed too early. That whole "early bird gets the worm" doesn't apply to government benefits.

The fair seemed pretty successful. They had representatives from different organizations (mostly who support the United Way) to give tips on effective resumes and interviewing, good advice on rolling over your retirement, how to access help for paying your utility bill, and more. As I stood there, I couldn't help but take a look around. There were some dressed nicely as if they were going to an interview, there were some who appeared disheveled, there were some who were there alone and some who had to bring their children with them. During the Unemployment break-out session, my son and I were asked to wait outside the room (only because the room was small and they wanted as many employees to be in there as possible). We sat outside the room with a sweet young girl named Hannah. She was in Middle School and her mom was a former ImagePoint employee. I was so impressed by the maturity of this young girl. Hearing about her life to this point, I was amazed by her optimism and her faith. I was touched by her concern for her mom during this situation. Luckily, her mom is starting a new job tomorrow. Maybe Hannah won't have to worry for long.

Maybe we won't have to worry much longer either....