Maride

I went to the unemployment office yesterday. Last August I wanted to start school full time on-campus and they said no, because the program was $2,000 more than they allowed. The truth was that if I had a scholarship, which I had, I would have been able to attend. So, I took a small student load and took 6 credits on my own for the semester. As it turns out, I could have started school. Now I am 13 credits behind, a full semester and am going to start full time in January. My unemployment insurance will end in January 2012, but I will finish school in May 2012, which means that for one semester I will have no income. I am furious because if they had allowed me to enroll back in August my benefits would end at the same time as my school.

They messed up but now their only answer is sorry, but there is nothing we can do. I am not sure what are my rights here, but for sure I am so furious is not even funny.

OK, venting is over. Now off to find some answers.

Maria

donnajean

Maria,
I did not know that you could collect unemployment while enrolled in school. Do you still have to be searching for employment to continue to receive the unemployment?

I'm asking as my best friend has a daughter that would like to continue her education but can't do it without some kind of income.

Mimito2

Sorry this has happened. Maybe you can get a part time (training) position.
Regarding UE...Try having them send you a letter that your filing year is up and you are going to be cut off. You call them and they say that is a foul up and there has been an extension. File the objection. Have a phone interview with an officer and give a sworn statement re the objection. 3 days later get all the following:
1. A letter stating you have not worked and you are being cut off.
2. A letter stating that you qualify for an extension and have been automatically enrolled.
3. A letter stating that you have had a lapse and you need to go into the office for help.
Do they have a clue? No wonder we are in economic trouble. Left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing......
I would rather work, it is easier on the nerves. (if there was a job available). They are few and far between here.

quiltlonger

Who knows maybe by then might extend benefits again, or get some quilts done and sell them IF can part with them Good Luck

hobo2000

My granddaughter is on a similar program, she has a scholarship but not the means to support herself. Unemployment will pay her through the period of her scholarship. Apparently, it also works if you are upgrading yourself to apply for a better position. Wish they had that when I was going to college. I worked a full time job and went to school full time.

carolaug

Unemployment was a pain...first time in my life I had to use it...thankfully I found a job...in our state we could only file on line...twice I was unable to due to their site...I ended up owning them two weeks of pay...I could have fought it but it was a pain...thankfully I have a job...I just got a letter from them stating I owe them 1.66 - it cost them more to write and send that letter...crazy...Hope I never have to collect again.

Chele

I'm confident you'll find the answers. It's only 2010, how do you get unemployment until 2012? I need to lay myself off!

karenchi

Sorry to hear. As my DH always says: Person screws up and "you" end up paying for it......

I went through screw ups to get into see a neurosurgeon. My neurologist said it was "urgent" to get an app't.....Finally after so many people screwed up it's now scheduled for Dec. 8.....Been trying to get in since the beginning of Sept.

Maride

The company I worked for made a petition with the Department of labor called TAA or Trade Adjustment Act, which is a program that continues to pay your unemployment if you can not find a job to give you a new career that will make you more likely to find a job. This covers employees laid off from 2008 to now with the same company. This had to be done because it was over 1000 people loosing their jobs in a area with a total population of 80,000. There isn't any other place to work there with the set of skills that we have, so people have the option of learning something else at their expense and stay in the area or move to another area with them paying for your relocation. Each one of us had $15,000 to use either for school or moving. My intentions were to move to NYC and have them relocate me, but since I can not find anything here I need to go to school. The course of study can not attain a higher degree and can not be on-line. It must offer a certificate upon completion or a license and it has to be completed in 2 years. That is the only reason I can still collect while going to school. I know I am looking at this ahead of time, but looking at it carefully, is only one year away and I don't want to find myself with no income and 5 more months of school. If I sue them, it may take several months before a decision is made and the earlier I get this started, the earlier I get it completed. I never sued anyone in my life but this is my family they are messing with. To make matters worse I will be receiving a 65% reduction in my COBRA benefits, but I qualify for a program with the IRS that increases the subsidy to 80%. I enroll into the program in December, and in January the subsidy is scheduled to go back to 65%, which means that I will have to pay in medical insurance about 50% of what I get from unemployment if not more. the law is up for congress to evaluate and decide if it stays at 80% or goes back to 65%, but being that the elections are over and they don't have to stick to what they promised, it may go back to 65% for sure.

I know at least I have this option, which is more than many Americans have right now, but they keep making things more and more difficult for us. I was lucky enough to work for a large corporation that makes billions every year and can afford to send off their employees with something to survive for a while. I feel for those who don't even get that, which is the large majority. I don't understand how things are going to get better.

nativetexan

your unemployment goes till 2012? wow, wish mine did.
i got it for 6 months and am now on 13 weeks extention. that is the end of it here.
try contacting someone above the person you spoke to.