So I got a notice from Unemployment tonight

[The Straight Story]

My deposit was made into my account - and my initial benefits have run out.

Now I can apply for, and probably will get, extended benefits - but it can take 4 weeks to get them.

You would think, in this computer age, all of this would work a little more quickly and easily. I could not apply until they ran out - and to make matters worse I did work in another state within the last two years.

So I went online, applied for extended, and keep getting database errors. Try again later or call us.

Me? I will survive while I wait - but my X counts on those payments to help her with her bills each week, she and her husband have shutoffs, he only is working part time, and the money I give her for support is much needed.

How is it that we are in the 21st century and we can instantly look up a person and their info and make decisions before a flight but we can't approve something so simple as an extension to benefits?

Our government (state/local/federal) can look up your plates (on your car), tell instantly if you are 'a person of interest', etc an so on but it takes years to get SSDI approved, weeks for benefits, months or longer for welfare, etc?

In a society of fear money is thrown around to quickly transmit the negative about people - but when folks need real help from real issues that are a threat to them it can take weeks/months/years.

We devote mass resources to knowing all about people - except when it benefits/helps them. Then it is 'it takes time'.

Be seen as a threat, and you move to the head of the line. Need help and you and your issues can wait, because the only real problem you have is terrorists. Need meds, health care, unemployment, disability...well, those things are minor issues.

It all seems so backwards.

I guess there is no money in it so it goes on the back burner.

[redqueen]

1. "I guess there is no money in it so it goes on the back burner."

Exactly. Profit matters, not people.

[wroberts189]

2. 4 weeks !!!??? wtf..?

Totally bogus.

You have my sympathies... hope you make it through ok.

[CurtEastPoint]

12. I have been waiting 6 weeks in GA. I guess I'll have to go and sit for 4 hours to...

find out the status. Not that I'm not grateful for the help, but what a cluster-f***ed system.

[Berry Cool]

15. It's taking 6 weeks to find out if you qualify for extended federal benefits in Georgia?

Is it your state that's so messed up? I don't see why the state you're in should make a difference; it's federal benefits you're applying for. Of course, you still have to do it through the state, but if you've been waiting 6 weeks already, that's crazy.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. ...

:hug:

[Art_from_Ark]

4. So your "ex" has remarried

but you still have to pay support? :shrug:

[The Straight Story]

6. child support (nt)

[Abq_Sarah]

5. They make you jump through hoops

Hoping you'll give up.

[Joe the Liberal]

7. Yup, goes to show how fucked up the priorities in this country are.....

Wall St bonuses and bank bailouts? Sure! we'll have those billions of tax payer dollars in your accounts by tomorrow, no problem.

Health care? Whoa, whoa whoa, just hold on a minute, you want health care? give me a fucking break! get lost parasite, I should have you arrested for even asking that, unbelievable!

[glowing]

8. This is what happens when Pukes take office. They infiltrate the "good" programs

and make them inefficient.. so that when they go out and say govt is bad, people believe them.

[upi402]

9. America doesn't care about us after we're born

Americans care about their pets more, or Brad Pitt, our "our team" whatever...

You are right. I am done with this mess. Developing nations are doing better than us, I know it for a fact at ground level. And it's gonna get worse, Obama is on their team, most of the Democratic Party is on their team, the Supreme Court is on their team, the TV propaganda box is under their control.

Not pretty. You're right, it's stupid -and I think it's by design.

And your credit history and criminal history can be checked in the time you view the crap apartment you may need to live in too.

[uppityperson]

10. Here in WA they told me it will take up to 6 wks to find out if I qualify, how much, etc. I agree

WHY should it take so long when they can find out so much about you so quickly? Yes, I know there are a shitload of people on unemployment, but 6 wks or 4 wks? I agree.

[cutlassmama]

11. What do single people with no savings do? I think it's terrible.

[Berry Cool]

14. Don't believe that "up to 6 weeks" nonsense either.

Here in Ohio, the FAQ tells us "Please allow four weeks for your application to be processed and eligibility to be determined." But I think that's "safety language" that was put in there to set expectations low. For me, the reality was that as soon as I was accepted into the program, I received my first payment. And they told me off the top that chances were I would qualify would be for the same amount I got under the state program, unless there was some reason for it not to be...and it was.

Don't get downhearted just because of some words you read...FILE FOR EXTENDED BENEFITS. You may be surprised and relieved to discover how quickly the money appears for you.

[Berry Cool]

13. I have some questions about this (as a recipient of extended benefits myself).

Are you talking about applying for extended federal benefits? Because I did, the day my state benefits ran out and I got the notice--and the following week I was able to apply for a weekly check on my state Web site just as I had for the state benefits--obviously I was approved for the extension--and the request was processed and the money was deposited within a day as usual.

You were told it can take 4 weeks to get them? I think that's bull, or a pessimistic estimate designed to keep you from crabbing if there was some sort of delay.

Your issue may be more complex because you did work in another state within the last two years (I did not), but don't give up.

I, too, kept getting database errors with "Try again later or call us" when I first applied. But I tried later on that night and finally was able to submit my filing. I honestly think they get overwhelmed when people first get the notice that their state compensation has run out. We sort of crash the system.

Have you tried again since? I hope so. If not, do try again.

There IS money. I got some. And it didn't take any four weeks, either.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.