So I'm sure that if you've hung around me long enough you'd have heard me utter the following statement: "when I'm elected President/Governor/Mayor, mine will be the fastest inauguration speech in history-'thank you for electing me, and you're all fired', it'll be that damn quick."
Well, we can add another 'helpful' department to this list. Here's what happened, and my reaction.
On February 7, a month after I was laid off, I applied for unemployment. Yes, I know what you're thinking and/or asking-why didn't I apply the day after I got laid off? Because there was still a potential for me to keep my job, and I was holding out hope that I could keep that job and stay in Denver.
Now, after applying on-line, I started to receive things in the mail about my claim. I was told how much money I'd be getting. Let's just say not only would it not cover me, but what they were giving me would last a grand total of 10 weeks. So I made the conscious decision to not file every other week. Well, that and I honestly didn't know when I should be filing, what weeks should I be on the phone/internet. I did manage to set up direct deposit, however, after I got a debit card in the mail. How the hell am I supposed to pay my bills with a debit card? Oh, and if you try and take money out like an ATM, the penalties are a bit more than 50 cents. How is this advantageous to those out of work and looking for it?
Well, I ended up working in March, and then started this job in April. All the while, I was trying to contact the Colorado Unemployment office, to no avail. All I wanted to do was cancel my claim, delete it or get every dime I had coming to me. You can't get thru. I think they only have 5-7 phone lines, and with unemployment in this state hovering around 7% (7.6% as of Friday), best of luck.
So why am I fired up? Because I've been trying on my lunch break since I got this contracting job to 'kill' my claim. Well lo and behold, on Friday I discovered that I could delete my claim. So last night, that's just what I did. The site asks for my Name, Social Security #, Date of Birth, email, phone number and then click 'submit'. Done. Then the next screen pops up and asks why you want your claim deleted, going so far as to tell you that if you delete your claim it will be as though it never existed. Perfect, this is what I want! I give my justification that I never called in for the funds, don't need them, tried to call to cancel but couldn't get thru, and that I'm currently working. This all seems very reasonable in my head. After clicking 'submit' again, I am told my claim will be reviewed because it has passed the 12 day law period of deleting a claim.
I have a side question, who the hell came up with 12 days? Doesn't that seem a bit arbitrary? It's not a round number like 10 business days or 2 weeks...how come it's 12 days?
Now comes the fun. I got a call today!!! Like 30 minutes ago. Let me be painfully clear. I have been trying almost daily since 4/15 to get thru to these people to discuss deleting my claim, they finally have the option online (believe me, I looked but did not see this back then). I am being called to let me know that since I am outside of the 12 day period, I haven't shown enough cause to delete my claim. Wait a sec, why is this an option online then? What is the cause I need to show to delete this? Silence. I was told then that it was due to me deleting it outside of 6 months after my initial claim and that was why. Hold up here!! Can anyone do simple math. Today is June 22nd. My claim was filed February 7th. February, March, April, May and June. That's 5 months! Well, it's the law. What law?
So now my claim is considered dormant. On file until February 7th next year, but dormant. I would have to call in to reactivate it once I am again unemployed. I would not be eligible for any more money on my claim, but after that money runs out I could apply for emergency benefits. Mind you, I told this very nice woman that part of the frustration is that I've been trying to call and explain this situation to someone to get some direction, but the line is always busy. Yet, not even 24 hours after I file a deletion request my phone rings. Gee, that seems weird.
Here is why I hate bureaucracy-First, I was fibbed to on two different occassions. Second, I never buy the "that's the law" routine. Only ignorant people fall for that. People like me track that stuff down (hello, Monday night project). Third, I'm trying not to use the money! I don't want it! Keep it, give it to someone else. Fourth, I know that if this were to go thru and I had to apply all over again in a month, I'd be eligible for more funds.
Please, this isn't a woe-is-me tale. This just follows no path of logic whatsoever. They just seem to care about a broke system as opposed to a person trying to do the right thing. And I'll pay for it in the end. No wonder I've had discussions about starting up my own business, cash only, of course. Why do we as a people continue to fund a broke system? Because we think it's better than the alternative? What are my options. Because this was one of the most frustrating circular conversations I've ever had in my life...and I used to bartend!!
I think I'll be writing my representatives tonight as well, hoping to get some clarification and some help for that poor woman that had to call me. I know she's getting her butt kicked on a day to day basis, but only because the message makes absolutely no sense at all. That's government and why this country is so fouled up. It starts at the local level and goes all the way up to DC.
Let's just say I'll be putting this in the 'Cons' column for Colorado and if I should stay or go.
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