God dammit. Colorado's unemployment department doesn't have their shit together!

[backscatter712]

Since my regular unemployment benefits expired, I filed for, and allegedly got, an emergency extension. I took care of all the paperwork, did the application over the phone, I should be getting benefits, except I'm not seeing them in my bank account.

Now I'm trying to call them to find out what the hangup is. I can't get through, at all. When I call the numbers, I either get a busy signal or a phone-company "All circuits are busy. Try again later." message.

GOD FUCK IT, GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!!! I need that money to pay rent, and to pay the bills. No, it can't fucking wait.

Fucktards!

[lizziegrace]

1. This happened in Ohio this week. Even NPR picked up on the story.

Published: January 7, 2009

COLUMBUS Ohio—With Ohio’s jobless rate holding steady at 7.3 percent, not only is the unemployment funding out of money, the online website and call center are being flooded with calls and other obstacles. Since last week, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Service Representatives have been handling thousands of unemployment benefit applications.

So many that the department’s website and computer system crashed yesterday when technical glitches were exacerbated by exceptionally high demand, adding the frustration of waiting hours on the phone to the frustration of losing a job. Typically the department handles around 7,500 calls, since last week they have been averaging 80,000 calls daily.

The website and computer systems were back up and running by 8 a.m. this morning. Now ODJFS is hiring 120 temporary workers to handle the crush of jobless Ohioans. And with only $16 million in the funding left, the state will soon borrow money from the federal government to keep up.

The Bottom Line if you lose your job is to keep calling the unemployment hotline or applying through the website. It may take awhile, but you will eventually get through.

http://www.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/local/article/getting_help_while_youre_unemployed/11559/


I'm sorry that on top of the stress of being unemployed you also have to deal with the bureaucracy. I hope things get better for all of us...

[fizzgig]

2. i HATE trying to call them

when i have to call them i usually do it first thing in the morning or i'll be on hold all day. i've had some gnarly overage fees on my cell phone bill from having to deal with them. are you calling the 800 number or the denver number? i have better luck with the 800 number when i call them.

i was able to file my emergency extension over the phone and it kicked it right away, no paperwork or waiting. i hope you're able to get it sorted out

[backscatter712]

3. I've tried both. No dice.

I did the emergency extension over the phone already - that should have been taken care of. I don't know why I'm not seeing money in my account yet.

Would I have better luck going to the workforce center in person?

[fizzgig]

4. i honestly can't say

when did you file your emergency claim?

[backscatter712]

5. A couple weeks ago.

Did it with the automated phone system - that went relatively smoothly. I got a letter back with a new PIN number, and a letter announcing how much money I'm supposed to get. I then went on the CUBLINE when it was officially time and did my two-week refiling like I'm supposed to this Sunday. Normally, I'd be seeing money in my account right now, but I'm not. I'm not sure what the holdup is. :(

[fizzgig]

6. that sucks

i wish i could offer some advice other than to keep on dialing. an email, maybe? and i think a call to your local workforce center won't hurt, either.

good luck

[backscatter712]

7. Please stay on the line. Your call is important to us, and will be answered in the order received.

Well, I finally managed to get past the busy-signals and all-circuits-are-busy messages - the customer service line opens at 7:30am, so I called them at 7:30am (first sin, forcing me to get up early in the morning. Big mistake...)

Now I've been sitting on hold with these assclowns for over an hour, and still have yet to talk to an actual human being who can explain to my why I haven't received my unemployment payment.

Let me explain this to them with a bullhorn.

MAYBE IF YOU HIRED ENOUGH PEOPLE FOR YOUR CALL CENTER TO HANDLE THE DEMAND, PEOPLE WOULDN'T WANT TO LYNCH YOU!!!

Fuckers...

[backscatter712]

8. Yay! I finally got through.

There was some sort of records mixup - somehow, I got confused with another claim or something, and I had a record of an employer that I'd never heard of on my record. Talk to the guy, he was nice, explained these things sometimes happened, put a note in the system with an explanation, and released the hold on my benefits. I should be receiving money on Tuesday!

[lizziegrace]

9. Yay!

Good news.

Can you imagine going to work every day there and facing the hundreds of calls that come to your phone? Ack! I feel for the staff at these agencies. The staffing levels are something they have no control over. :(

[backscatter712]

10. I used to work for a call center.

And when they cut back on the staffing, it SUCKED!!! I did my best to be nice to the guy who was on the other end of the line - sounds like he's got a long day ahead of him...

[lizziegrace]

11. Good he was able to help you

:)