I finished the online weekly claims form for Unemployment, and it informed me that since I'd quit my job, I needed to call and talk to an actual human being. Sighing with annoyance, I did so.
"Unemployment," A tired voice said. "Can I have your social security number, please?"
I rattled it off.
"I'm sorry, sir," The voice said, now clearly annoyed. "There's no record of a claim for you for this week."
I looked more carefully at the form telling me to call, and noticed that it said to wait two or three hours before doing so. Apparently it takes a while for data from the online system to trickle into the phone operators' system. I explained my error, and said I would call back in a few hours.
"Don't bother," said the voice. "It's a Monday, and the system is really slow because of all the claims coming in. I wouldn't try back until tomorrow if I were you."
I did so. This time, the "unemployment specialist" had my info available to her. I explained my reasons for quitting my job--bounced and missing paychecks--and she dully informed me that someone would get back to me within twenty-one days.
"Ok, thank you." I said, about to end the phone call. "...did you say twenty-one days?!"
"Yes, sir." She responded, betraying only the barest trace of interest in the conversation. "Someone will call you, or you will receive a letter in the mail."
Inwardly viciously cursing, I again thanked her and got off the line.
Twenty-one days, I thought. And that's not even until I get paid. That's when someone will begin investigating my claim.
That was two weeks ago, yesterday. My only response from unemployment thus far has been automated responses from the online claims system. I've continued to file for benefits in the interim, and each letter I receive in the mail informs me that my benefits are being held pending the results of the investigation.
Meanwhile, my savings are dwindling. I'm spending as little money as possible, but I still have bills to pay. My former employer owes me more than two thousand dollars, and shows absolutely no signs that she'll be giving it to me without a lawsuit.
I'm to the point that I'm selling things I don't need to make some extra cash. Megan, a friend, and I had a garage sale on Saturday, where I made about a hundred dollars. I sold a Wii game yesterday for a fiver at PrePlayed, and I sold a box of books to Half Price Books this morning for another fifteen. I've been searching through closets and boxes to find things of value I don't mind parting with, but I'm starting to run low on them.
