Good news, my unemployment insurance came through.

[shockey80]

To say it was a confusing process is an understatement. The States are overwhelmed and that is understandable. There is a big difference with a state like mine, New York vs a Republican run state. States like New York are trying their best to get people unemployment insurance.

It looks like Republican run states are not trying to do their best when it comes to helping people. They want people to go back to work.

I have been working for 43 years, this is the first time I have ever collected unemployment insurance. Even when I was laid off in the past I never wanted to collect unemployment. Instead, I always went out and found another job.

This time things are a little different to say the least. Now it's life and death.

[forthemiddle]

1. I'm in Indiana (Red State)

And I had no problem at all. I got up early one morning, spent about an hour and a half on the unemployment site, and I started getting paid 10 days later.

The most important hint I received is read, and then reread every question. A lot of the people I read about that are having problems are those that incorrectly answered a question, or misread the question. They then have to try and get through on the overwhelmed phone lines. I also recommend going online super early morning, or late at night.

This was also the first time in 40 years of working that I had to apply.

[Upthevibe]

3. forthemiddle....I'm so glad that

living in a Red State didn't work out against you....it gives me hope. I mean unemployment isn't an "entitlement." This is why we have the deductions in our paychecks. A safety net is needed!

[shockey80]

4. The problem I had was some of the questions did not fit my situation.

I had to pick the choice that came the closest. I tried every which way but loose to try and contact a live person. It was impossible.

Then I got a recorded phone call from the NY dept of labor that may have been a scam. They wanted more information and I refused to answer because they could not prove to me who they were.

[forthemiddle]

7. I have heard that problem also

Good luck!

The people I’ve talked to that finally got through on the telephone were granted backdated benefits, so there is that. That doesn’t help you much now though. Sorry for your troubles.

[Upthevibe]

2. I'm so happy for you!

I'm in California and they've (the state and Gavin Newsome) have really done they're best (and I think a very good job) for us. I received my ATM card last week (I messed up and filed three weeks later than I should have-my fault) and was able to go to the bank yesterday and transfer the funds to my account.

Hopefully things will continue to run smoothly until I can get back out there and start working again. I've been on unemployment before here (I've lived in California most of my adult life) and the state has always done the right thing for me. I think there's a big difference living in a Blue state rather than a Red state.

[shockey80]

5. If it were possible for me to talk to a live person at NY dept of labor when I applied,

This is the first thing I would have said to them. My wife and I are both over sixty and we are NOT expendable.

[Freddie]

6. I found a mistake PA was making

And they corrected it!
DH applied for partial UC as his hours were cut. Got a letter that he didn’t have enough credit weeks. He sure did. Thought his employer didn’t do the quarterly reporting correctly; he called his employer, they had. Employer called the state, got a human (!) and the problem was on their end. Fixed it for DH and everybody else at his company, and possibly others. I’m a payroll admin and knew what the problem was right away. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.