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john@unemploymentality.com
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I recommended your site to NYC Public Radio
What a great site! I’ve added you to the “Cool links” section of my blog!
I don’t know about the rest of you, but in MA, unemployment checks are drawn at Sovereign Bank. Sovereign is now owned by the Spanish Banco Santander. Does it seem strange to anyone else that a Spanish bank is profitting from our misfortune? Contact your local media and make our government rethink its banking decisions.
Michael,
Allow me to introduce myself! My name is Bruce Duncan and I am CEO and founder of Varitech Extreme Sports in San Francisco. I saw you on a segment on television a short time ago. I am looking to develop a new team comprised local web designers, graphic artist, marketing, video/TV back ground for a huge national ski/snowboard tour. The reason I am contacting you is simple, I don’t want to go through normal channels (monster, etc) to find new talent. I’ve been designing skis/snowboards for companies around the globe for more than 30 years and I’m the new technical consultant for the largest skis/board manufacturer in Asia and producing for the top 3 ski company’s and the #2 snowboard company. Our main global focus is private label, but we create skis/boards for multiple facets of the industry. Please call my office at: 415-759-5500 and go to my website and click on “invited guests” to see what we offer the global community.
Regards, Bruce Duncan
CEO: Varitech
For all the unemployed individuals who need a little assistance with their resume and/or cover letter, money to pay bills, a scholarship to go back to school, or new clothes to feel confident when you land a interview check out helpmyresume.org. All of these services are completely free.
It is important to let the politicians how bad it is out here. E-mail your representative about the dismal employment situation. Extend unemployment benefits to “real people”. Individual bailouts instead of corporate bailouts.
Tell everyone to contact their representative!
LOVE your blog! I thought I’d let you know that I wrote a post the other day about your blog. You had written a really great post about the process of applying for unemployment and some guy wrote a really nasty comment which I, in turn, wrote about on my blog: http://joblessjulie.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/if-you-cant-say-anything-nice-you-shouldnt-say-anything-at-all/
Enjoy!
Good luck in your quest for a paycheck!
JoblessJulie
Dear, dear people:
I have just started this new email address in your honor.
There are no words to thank you for providing the telephone numbers that speed the process.
Today in less than 5 minutes the issue was resolved.
First, my story starts with the claim that was denied because I quit, due to non paymnet when due for many months and a lack of itemized checks, which is “Good cause” but,
the EDD person did not listen carefully, my file, which later on I saw, was without accuracy
Her wrong analysis cost me a long wait.
An Angel in the form of my Pro Bono Lawyer, first saved me by pursuing my employer,
and Yes she is a real Angel,who believes in Labor Laws.
After month or so, a settlement was signed.
In any case,that was quite a task,it took unrelenting action while trying to survive.
Not for the weak!
The money from the Settlement helped me to go on because i could no find a new job.
At the time, I did not know yet that I was going to be denied my claim, and so,
I was hopeful that one way or another I would be o.k.
Then the bad news came , claim denied, I contested the decision.
Again, my lawyer and I pursued it with passion because fair is fair and it had to be reversed.
Later on, the Judge, who was severe and dry, reversed the decision with a judgement that read like a Hollywood movie, where the righteous wins, yes! he agreed I had to quit, Reason: “Good cause!
Let me tell you, I liked my job, I miss the many of the aspects of a very creative position, I miss my clients.
I did not want to quit, but I had to beg for my salary while getting into late penalties, and such Domino effect that
there was no other decision possible.
This very serious decision was not taken in haste but because i was going under and I was naive to think i would find quickly a new job or receive unemployment if I failed to find one.
Little did I know what price I would pay.
Time, great patience, my jewelry pawned, my nice work-clothes and shoes sold to be able to eat,
borrowed money from friends to pay bills and worked hard at keeping strength to preserve my mind and my integrity as a human being while going through the motions.
My car… well that is a long story worth another chapter.
I cannot imagine what people with children do, at what point they go insane.
It definetely gives me a different perspective;
even though I was always aware of injustice, poverty et al, I have now a very good idea of how a person becomes homeless and it touches me deeply!
It can happen to anyone.
Let me continue
After the decision, the checks were not in sight even though i kept filling out the forms they sent me.
Almost a month and nothing, I called, to no avail an answer,I waited, I emailed, I waited
I called the judge office, they told me to wait 21 days!
I called, I emailed, I waited 24 days!
till……………………………………………………
Today, because I used the Telephone numbers you provided here in this blog
somebody found my file with the APPROVAL
The Judge decision was lost some where…she said the checks will be processeced today!
You saved me!!
No more than 5 minutes to hear a human voice and get it resolved
never a robotized system, never a wait,
I trembled, my heart was pouncing in disbelief,
Am I really talking to a human who says will process the check?
Is this really happening? Am I going to buy food, gas, pay my debts?
I will get another chance, maybe a new job is around the corner
and somebody else can use the benefits we All deserve.
I will let you know this week the happy ending, we hope.
Again, thank you!! thank you!!.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
gigi
I live in Los Angeles, filed afetr a massive layoff.
Got a approved for a weekly amout of 360 a week stated in my edd paperwork
So is that only going to be paid every 2 weeks or would it be 720 every 2 weeks.
Just wondering how they do this in LA.
If it is the latter I can survive.
But if it is only 360 every 2 weeks Im in big trouble.
Wondering if you had any insight to what I should exspect.
Thankyou.
Love your blog.
It brings great comfort to those having to do things the first time of theyre lives.
Any other helpful tips would be appreciated!
Thankyou!
My crazy mother is at it again, trying to get me to fax 2over my last pay stubs and send in my last 08 tax w-2 so she can try to get another loan which I will probably have to co-sign for.
All of this ontop of me being laid off and trying to collect my edd checks.
I would think that if this loan goes thru for her I could potentially loose my benefits if they found out.
Should i just say no to her?
Dont know what to do, dont want her to loose her home because of this crap-hole economy, but her timing could not be worse.
Any thoughts on the ramifications on such a thing?
I am not with AutoDesk, but I think this is really cool. They are giving away FREE software and training to (qualified) employed for retraining and brushing up their skills. AutoDesk is most popular for AutoCad, it’s like drafting software and it’s the world leader in small business.
The Autodesk Assistance Program is designed to help displaced employees update their skills
and improve their employability in a down economy. As members of the architecture,
engineering, design and manufacturing communities, Autodesk and its partners will be
providing important deliverables to qualified program participants, including:
• Free* Software License: Student licenses of 17 Autodesk® products including
AutoCAD® software and other industry focused products supporting Building
Information Modeling and Digital Prototyping technology.
• Free Online Training: On-demand training available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
(requires internet access)
• Reduced Cost Classroom Training: Many Autodesk Authorized Value Added
Resellers and Autodesk Training Center (ATC®) partners are offering classroom
training at their facilities for free or for a significantly reduced fee. (Offerings will vary,
please check with your local ATC or Reseller to get details)
• Certification: Certification preparation and exams available at discounted rates
through Autodesk Authorized Certification Centers (Offerings will vary, please check
with your local Certification Center to get details)
http://students3.autodesk.com/ama/orig/AAP_FAQ_rev5.pdf
One thing that I am confused by is that on my last day we recieved 3 seperate checks on the 29th of September.
1. vacation pay
2. A week and a half of work by the hour + TIPS Im a waiter
3- Last check for 3 hours of work the day we were laidoff.
Now on my benefits claim sheet for week 1 and 2 Im asked to claim if I recieved any money and to claim my gross before taxes.
My 1stclaim week started on Sept 27th on my EDD form. My last 3 paychecks from work were issued on the 29th of Sept
So am I supposed to calim all 3 checks on the paperwork, which Im sure inturn will cost me my first week of pay being unemployed, right down the drain so to speak.
Or can I just claim the 2 days I worked the 27th29th…8 hours total with our without tips.
I just dont want to get screwed and end up in a bunch of beurocratic redtape and end up screwing this up and finding another month to go by withouut recieving my check benefits.
I’ll be homeless.
Thankyou so much for being here, it really has been a valuable resource.
I hope you have something to say in regards to my question.
Thankyou again,
Sincerley,
Mr
Scott
Just found your blog – and can’t believe I didn’t find it sooner – because I’ve had my own blog about being unemployed for the last few months now!
I’d love to talk to either Tania or John about doing some guest posts? I’m from the prospective of a recent college grad, who six months after getting a degree, still ain’t getting paid to work.
I originally wanted the same kind of image – me with a cardboard sign – to be the header for my blog! So I feel we have very similar visions…
just linked to you on my blog
Love your work – favorite aspect of the unemployment hypocrisy is the know-all and observational approach from the media, I realize they have jobs and need to write something yet it seems that every person with a job knows a lot about being unemployed (not really). I also recognize my not so latent bitterness, but enough is enough.
Keep people happy, it helps!
C
Hi john,
Your site has been a godsend for me. But one answer I haven’t been able to find – hope you can help me. Into my 1st extension and I can’t believe I made this mistake for the first time – and trust me, even with an ivy league diploma, I’ve made them all to endless delays
I just filled out a YES box for “begin attending training” by mistake – should have been no. Haven’t sent form yet. Can I cleanly white out or should I request new form to play it safe?
Thx!
Great blog!
I am involved in a couple ministries in Tulsa, OK trying to help people who are looking for work. I was blessed by one of these groups and have stayed involved since my hire.
I’ve been writing about what I’ve learned along the way -sort of a basics of job search in a sincere hope to help others. Things are tough, but not impossible.
Thanks for your blog. I modified mine to start showing blogs I follow – yours is first. Thanks.
Your site has inspired us since we started 4 months ago to build a Jobless community site in Belgium. That’s why we put your feed in our feed aggegrator of http://www.jobless4jobless.org.
Unemplployment is a global story that needs global action.
J4J would like to cooperate and exchange.
I recently went through two years of college, thanks to MI Works, T.R.A. program, and had to drop out of my Physics class and look for work because my unemployment ran out. Now that another extension was made available, I applied for it, and was eligible, I tried reporting online. Once I got to the page just before the actual MARVIN reporting page, I was told I wasn’t eligible to use the online resources. Then when I tried calling the inquiring line,they were busy and hung up. What’s up with that?!
Thank you so much! This is helpful. I cannot get through and it is driving me insane!
Happy New Year to you all~~~ Hopefully we all get our dream job in 2010.
I just finished a CTB (California Training Benefits) interview with EDD, I want to share my experience so people might benefit from it. For those who doesn’t care to read my little story, the advice is listed at the end of this post.
I’m a graphic designer who got laid off in July. In late November after 5 months of sending resumes and going to interviews for nothing, I thought maybe trying something else might land me a job. So I went to a Casino dealer school. It’s a drastic change, but I was desperate. I paid for the school out of my own saving, then I learnt I could apply for CTB, and let EDD pay for the school fee.
So I applied for CTB.
And EDD stop sending me my check. During the process of determine if I’m legible for CTB, they with hold the Unemployment Insurance checks. It doesn’t make any sense, but there’s nothing I can do really.
I was scheduled to have a telephone interview on December 30th, by the time I was running on my own saving for a month.
The telephone interview is very unfriendly. The interviewer cut off my words, and sounded very impatient. She asked my school schedule, I told her my class hours are from 10 am to 5 pm. Please people BEWARE here!!! Later between she cutting off my words, I manage to let her know, the school hours are flexible, I can go to school during weekends and evenings, and still be able to looking for or accept a job position if offered. She slipped near the end that EDD will deny my benefits as well as deny my school payment. I was horrified, as many of you understand, the benefits are my lifeline, without it, I’ll live on streets. I make sure she understand I can switch my class hours to evening and weekend, and I’m looking for jobs everyday. She give me a lecture as if she’s some superior authority about how important it is to look for a job (as if I didn’t know) … and hang up on me. I will get the result in 10 days.
So for those of you who doesn’t have time to read my life story here’s my advice for applying CTB:
1, Make sure to let EDD know you’re looking for a job at the time you attend training and can accept a regular job. They don’t tell you this during the interview, but if you tell them your school hour is 9-5, not only you won’t get CTB, you’ll loose your unemployment benefits.
2, The minute you tell them you’re going to school/training either through applying CTB or through claim sheet, they will with hold your benefit check. So be very careful applying, make sure you have enough saving to keep you up and running for at least 2 month. Because that’s about how long it’ll take them to process the application.
3, Do NOT try to tell them how important the benefit is for you, they heard them all and they DON’T CARE. They will cut you off and you get nothing but a bitter feeling inside. Just answer the question.
4, They don’t let your explain, but try to squeeze in a couple of sentence before they cut you off. It may or may not work, but from time to time, you can get something out of it.
5, EDD website has bunch of EDD approved schools listed, go try those school first. I didn’t even know they have school listed there after I paid for the casino school. I figure if you’re going to their approved school, the process will be easier.
That’s about all I can think of. Hopefully this will help people getting their CTB. If you guys have questions, feel free to email me.
Thanks~ and wish you all have a wonderful 2010!
Alice
Very seldom does a person find a truly cool website. This here is one.
Does anybody out there know how far back in time EDD can go to see if you’ve been “able and available” for work? One EDD rep told me “We can go back 10 weeks”. Whether the applicant has applied for benefits during that time or not. In other words, your eligibility can be denied today if at any point in the past 10 weeks EDD finds you were “unavailable” for work. (Like if you’re an on-call temp and you didn’t answer the phone one morning.) This was a shocker to me. But, another rep said there is no such rule. Who would know? Where can it be looked up? Love you all!
queencalifia@live.com
My State Unemployment Benefits just ended. The extended claim form says “Claim expires 4-18-09 ” even though my current claim expires in 05/2010. EDD says since I had extended benefits in 2008 on my past claim I must go back to that claim for my Federal Extension. (The benefit will be substantially lower. Can they do this? Aren’t extensions based on the current claim? Where can I turn for help?
Looking for a job? I could refer you to an employer based on your last position, location, and experience. I know employers that are looking for qualified candidates to fill these positions. Jobs are available in Health Care, Financial Services, Information Technology, and Accounting. Send me an email if you had a position in one of these fields.
US residents only.
Its been two months now, every week i end up going to EDD office and uses the phone WEEK, to find out WHERE IN THE IS MY CHECKS,,
i am tired of talking to someone over the phone telling me your check is in the mail
BULL SHIT,, I TOOK MONEY OUT MY SAVING AND BROUGHT ME A ONE IRON GOLF CLUB,
going to take it to Sacromento, and visiting them,,,
WAIT UP GOVERNMENT, GET YOUR SHIT IN ORDER, WHERE IS MY DAMM CHECKS..
100% Tax Free Unemployment for 2009
How about giving the unemployed a tax break by taxing the banks so they can pay for it. A new legislative bill called the “JOBLESS STUB 2009 TAX FREE ACT” (STUB meaning Stop Taxing Unemployment Benefits)is being launched. The web site at Unemployment Gone Mad serves a community of activists and supporters and the bill plan proposal makes all Unemployment Benefits received in 2009 tax free, not just the current IRS $2400 deduction. We are seeking a coalition of partnerships to gather grass root support for Congressional Committee Action. We feel this injustice of paying taxes on unemployment benefits when there are so many long term unemployed, 5.8 million is an issue worthy of action. http://unemployment-gone-mad.com/ When you consider the 6 digit bonus money for bank executives and mangers, an added tax on banks who used our bail out money for profits and survival is warranted. The fact that the banks who created this financial crisis in the first place can finally help the unemployed is a positive turning point that needs legislative reform. Country Carl an artist
I’m trying to go back to school with assistance from the EDD. Well I am not getting very far, all these programs that they have are unobtainable. I am almost running out of my last extension from my benefits, I have already done everything I was supposed to in terms of schooling except for enrolling bc I am waiting for the WIA to be approved (since 11/09, still waiting……) My school starts 2/22/10 EDD tells me that since I am close to the end of my benefits they will not grant me CTB (extended paid benefits while going full time to school) so basically the programs that are out there to help you gain a career are FALSE, I am now going to have to go to school with out any loan assistance or any help financially while attending. I have been looking for jobs while I have been off, I live in San Bernardino, CA there is no jobs out here and if there is they are fast food places, I would actually be making less than being on unemployment. I want to go to school to be an LVN and from there work my way to RN where I know there will be job security for the rest of my life. I have never been on unemployment or any kind of public assistance, but I am determined to go to school and I guess I will have to seek public assistance now to support my family while I go to school; I am very stressed about this. These so called training benefits from EDD have let me down.
I am an idiot, I went to visit my parents in Oklahoma for Christmas and to look for work out there, ( I live in California), Anyway, my unemployment form showed up on the 24th of December at my mail box, this was the day after I had left for Oklahoma. I did not make it back home until Jan 12 and I sent the form off as soon as I got home. I was gone about two and a half weeks. Now, because I sent the form off so late, they have sent me to a phone interview in adjudication. I am affraid I will lose whats left of my benefit, I know I screwed up but now I just want to know what I should say to the person on the other end of the line. Can any one help
Hi, I just today started an Unemployed Support Club to share ideas, thoughts, and positive encouragement to help each other get thru rough times.
Please take the time to visit and join the Unemployed Support Club. It’s free!
Thank You in Advance,
Rick
I have been asked?
In 2010 has Obama been asked by the AFL-CIO to stop taxing all unemployment benefits?
I have now read for 2010 there is a Jobless STUB Retro 2009 U/B Tax Free Act and the bill is being advocated by AFL-CIO leadership, union members, blogs and that Obama is considering intoducing the bill for legislation to the Ways and Means. Yes this is partially true, check Unemployment Gone Mad for updates. There is support from AFL-CIO memebership and minor union leadership but as yet Obama has failed to commit, but the rumor is in the next week look for a major announcement in the upcoming job bill about additional U/B tax relief.
There is still discussions over who will take credit.
Sandy Levin, Ways and Means Committee New Chairman
How To Help the Unemployed Now!
Government Stop Taxing Unemployment Benefits!
So does it make any sense in 2010 to keep the tax man’s hammer down on the unemployed? Did the government not give the banks a break who created this economic mess in the first place? Did the government’s bail out money not provide profit, survival and fat bonuses for the Wall Street crews? Does the government not plan tax breaks for small business who reinvest in plant, equipment and rehires? Did the government not give big auto a Cash for Clunkers program to boost sales along with financial restructure for GM? Is there not a 8,000 dollar tax credit for first time home buyers who are fortunate to have jobs? So why is there no mention of 100% tax free unemployment compensation for the down trodden, displace and forgotten, we the unemployed.
Is it because we the unemployed have no voice? At the Unemployment Gone Mad community http://unemployment-gone-mad.com we are seeking to change this injustice with a new tax reform bill and one voice. The bill is called the “Jobless STUB Retro 2009 U/B Tax Free Act”? STUB, is like the paycheck stub we no longer have and stands for STOP TAXING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. The new legislative bill needs Sandy Levin, Ways and Means Committee New Chairman to step up and committee members to climb on board. This bill will make all unemployment collected in 2009 totally tax free not just the current law exemption of a ridiculous $2400 (about 6 checks). The Gone Mad opinion is 2009 life lines deserve tax free status during the 2009 new depression blues year. We feel this travesty of paying taxes on unemployment benefits when there are 5.8 million long term unemployed is truly deplorable and an issue worthy of action. Also, remember a record 20 million collected some unemployment in 2009. From the entire Unemployment Gone MAD community thanks.
I found a site that helped me when I was unemployed (survivealayoff.com). The guide available shared some good tips on how to cope with losing my job, cutting expenses, etc.
Hello everyone! I live in CA . I have been on unemployment since Jan 09 and now I am trying to apply for CTB training because after a year I still couldn’t find a job under my current skills set. I have my CTB interview this morning and I think it didn’t go too well. First the interviewer was very rude and second, her questions was very vague or could be that I didn’t understand what she was asking for BUT she was still RUDE. She called me 15mins before the scheduled interview time, maybe she was hopping that I wouldn’t pick up the call. She asked me, “Is the school federal funded?” and I asked her to re-phrase the question and she said, “Is the school funded by the federal?” (Yeaaaaa, what a nice re-phrase questions) Oh and before she re-phrase she give me a big puff and shrug. (happens every time I ask her to re-state her question.) First, how would I know if the school is federal funded? So, I took a guest and said, “Yes.”. Then she asked “By whom?” (“What?” thinking to self). I told her, I don’t understand what she asking for because I wouldn’t know how or who funded them but I received financial aid assistance to pay for it. Then she just move into the next vague question.
I think I screw up on this question “If you were offer a job during your schooling, what would you do?” I told her, I would work in the evening from 6pm-2am. She rudely stated, “What? Sales?” Told her no, maybe in CS or similar. (My last job title was Sales Operation but it have NOTHING to do with sales (stupid job title). NOT the best answer but I was getting very frustrated with her and her vague questions, rudeness, rushing me just to say anything, related or not. I didn’t think she would ask this question because why would I continue to look for work while going to school full-time (assuming being approved for the CTB program). Isn’t the purpose of CTB program is to go school full-time and not look for work? (That is what I was told before.) But she didn’t want to explain to me why that question is necessary. Oh but she did go in full detail why the process takes so long and that she doesn’t want to promise anything and bah bah bah.
I am going crazy trying to work with EDD. Every time I need to talk to them I would need to drive to an EDD office to call them (impossible reaching them from your own phone). I understand that they are over-worked and under paid but do they have to be so rude and leave you with more unanswered question and the very least they still have a job. Moreover, I rather be working then dealing with them.
I have been attending school while receiving EDD but most classes were on weekend, evening, and online. And in the passed I answered to that question, “I would drop the course or alter my school schedule.” which is fine by them. However, the program I’m signing up for only offer day classes.
Have anyone get denied due to this question for CTB program? I would like to drop from the program to avoid tuition cost at all possible. Broke as hell. Before was day to day paycheck. Now, maybe looking to dig my own grave.
Please share your experineces.
Has anyone heard about what’s going on in Congress and California regarding Unemployment? I just heard that people were being cut off with little to know (official) warning. Just read an article on their website showing similar information. I am on my 2nd extension. Has anyone elase read this or know about this?
Love this blog
I wanted to share a great site for all you job-searchers out there…Try it out if you want, http://jobs.trovit.com
One day we’ll have no need to talk about unemployment…*fingers crossed*…maybe a little optimistic but hey that’s the best way to be right?
The Small Business Bailout Program is proposed by ezGear to reduce unemployment. The program is based on the government funding new hires for small businesses with 1 to 24 employees and has the potential to create 3.5 Million Jobs under $21 Billion (under $6K per job).
I’d love to see some more posts about Job Search Tools. Really liked your post on finding jobs on the Twitter Job search. Do you know anything about resume verification? I’ve heard there are sites who will verify your resume info for free so employers know you’re resume is the real deal. Would love to learn more!
Does anyone know what is a personalised job assistance interview and what takes place? I apparently did not update my resume within the 21 days after I received my notice of requirement to register for work.
I really enjoy this blog and learning from the experience of others. One question though, why is it that when I click on the Newer Replies link I actually get older posts-happens every time….
I am currently unemployed and have been since i was in a layoff from working for the IRS but a psycho crashed a plane into the building and forced them to reduce the staff . I found another job as a dsktop support analyst but was treated badly by the management and forced to work at a location where there was no public transportation and after resigning i was denied my unemployment . I am now destitute broke without any savings and food .
I have been searching for a job but recruiters who talk about a job quickly backout because the shifts in the ecconomy . I have found that other skills i have such as success coaching and behavior modification which i learned in the military is possible new career but i need time .
But I feel that there is a way that people like karina can make a living while unemployed currently using some of the skills i have seen in her blog comments . Kraina you can write for sites http://www.textbroker.com or blogger.com and use adsence adds on your blog which will pay you everytime some clicks on your site . I have also read the thoughts of others which collectively could become a ebook of the life of the unemployed and the royalties shared by all who contribute . This is something to think about for all of us and like the TEA PARTY as a group why can we not become a political movement to make demands for change.