Just got a call from unemployment [View All]

[njlib]

I was fired from my job 2/13/09 for attending nursing school, which started 7/28/08, at night. Two other people were fired within 5 weeks after I was, all three of our claims were approved by unemployment, and all three of our claims are being appealed by our ex-employer. I withdrew my 401k as a lump sum distribution, which dropped my weekly benefit amount by $7...no big deal. Well, since then I've had problems when I claim my benefits and they called me today to advise me to answer YES to the pension question. Nice lady, she's going to process my claim for the past two weeks, I'm going to do what she told me from now on, problem solved.

I then asked about my appeals hearing because I received the initial notification in early April, but still haven't heard from them regarding where or when the hearing is being held. Told her I just wanted to make sure nothing was lost in the mail and she said they were 2 1/2 months behind in appeals and that I'd probably be receiving notification towards the end of June.

I remarked that I didn't know they also worked Saturdays and she said they're working 7 days a week now and will be there on Monday! I knew NJ was being hit hard, but having the unemployment people working 7 days a week AND holidays?? It's worse than I thought.