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Then two days ago, I got this email from Joe, a Baby Boomer, who is self-employed. Able to ask them a question on the air, I asked about the unemployment problem my relative, and many others were experiencing. So if you lost your job on May 5th and you were filing since May 5, than May 5th is your eligibility date. The problem should get resolved within a week, and all the money due you will then be paid to you retroactive to the day you first filed for unemployment. Unemployment recipients are supposed to continue their weekly or biweekly claims, even while applications are in process. Many Americans are still waiting to receive their unemployment checks. The message just said, “the unemployment department has been overwhelmed with calls, try the website or call back.” He felt so powerless.
Hopefully, you have been filing since the day you became unemployed, or in Joe’s case since he was self-employed, he became eligible due to the CARES act. Frustrated man trying to figure out why he is not getting paid his unemployment benefits. Joe emailed to say this strategy of contacting his state representative worked for him. Here are the steps to carefully follow. Call the appropriate STATE legislator that represents you.
A Wall Street Journal # 1 bestselling author, I have written eight career books including: 60 Second & You’re Hired, Retirement Reinvention, Winning Resumes and Over 40 & You’re Hired. Computer systems and their users make errors. The congressmen’s office will have a designated person inside their office who handles unemployment issues. Unemployment officials look for abuses of the system. My relative, Mike, tried calling his state unemployment office, and waited 6 hours only to be disconnected as they transferred him to the person who could help him. He would try to call some days and could not even get in the queue to wait on hold. Sometimes unusual circumstances arise that can create payment delays. I initially filed in the old system, then filed all weeks into the PUA system, starting when my business ended due to COVID. It worked for my relative too, and the other ten people I have advised to try it. They verify you live in their district, so be sure to reach out to the appropriate congressperson. Depending on the state, these occur once to several times a week. My local State Representative said, “call my office, and I can help you solve this issue.” So Mike did just that, and they reached unemployment and got Mike connected to a lady at unemployment who solved his filing issues. Learn more at: www.RobinRyan.com. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. Many Americans are still waiting to receive their unemployment checks.
EY & Citi On The Importance Of Resilience And Innovation, Impact 50: Investors Seeking Profit — And Pushing For Change, Unemployment Benefits For The Self-Employed, Independent Contractors, And Gig-Economy Workers: Lawyer On The Front Lines Answers Common Questions. Frustrated man trying to figure out why he is not getting paid his unemployment benefits. Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, U.S. Department of Labor: Unemployment Insurance Relief During COVID-19 Outbreak, U.S. Department of Labor: Report Unemployment Insurance Fraud, U.S. Department of Labor: Unemployment Insurance Payment Accuracy by State. I love teaching about career development, retirement and LinkedIn topics and have spoken to more than 1,000 audiences. Therefore, from the time a valid claim is made until a payment is issued, a state's computer system is likely to show the current week's payment as "not paid.". But if you just filed now on July 1st, you lose all those weeks you were unemployed between May 5 – July 1 because you did not file immediately Unemployment starts on the date you file not on the date you lost your job. The payment period goes forward from the day you first filed. The day a person makes her weekly or biweekly claim isn't usually the day her check is issued. However, when an unemployment department's systems indicate that a beneficiary's claim is "not paid," it usually indicates that a benefits check hasn't yet been issued. I cover Baby Boomer careers, job search and pre-retirement topics. Help!”. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) - Due to sports, WJBF NewsChannel 6 will not have an early show on Saturday.
They were in different states, and it has been effective. 2. Software and terminology vary, making it so that claimants across the country have different interactions with their state unemployment departments. I thought most of the unpaid unemployment issues had been resolved by now, and states were doing a better job.
However, an investigation that turns up fraud or violations of program rules can result in a termination of benefits and even a claimant paying back an overpayment. Do not miss the call. You’ll find that they either fix the problem or get someone who can fix it at unemployment to call you. One day, I listened to a radio show with state and federal legislators answering questions. If it is your cell, be sure the ringer is on as unemployment will only call you once or twice, and if you miss them, there is no number to call them back. They then receive back pay when approved. Just like employers, unemployment programs run batches of paychecks.
Therefore, from the time a valid claim is made until a payment is issued, a state's computer system is likely to show the current week's payment as \"not paid.\" However, during the review period, claims can show as "not paid.". They get you info, and then they work their magic. Tell them your problem with unemployment and ask for their help. Once unemployment case workers resolve their questions or issues, claimants receive back pay of any missed payments. 1. Occasional audits and examinations can lead them to query a claimant or investigate a case. A career counselor that helps clients land jobs, I offer Resume Writing, LinkedIn Profile Writing, and Interview Coaching services. The day a person makes her weekly or biweekly claim isn't usually the day her check is issued. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Each state runs its own unemployment insurance compensation program a little differently. You can do that at openstates by entering your address. When this happens, officials can stop payments pending their investigation.
Having lived through this with a relative, I know how hard it is and how desperate and frustrated you can get while you wait and wait and wait. Five days later, Mike got a large check for all the past-due unemployment monies due to him. I’ve appeared on Oprah, DrPhil and. Case workers can check for mistakes or explain in detail what is happening with a particular case. Depending on the state, these occur once to several times a week. That person will tell you that they can connect to unemployment on your behalf and that they have been assigned a real person at the unemployment office to work with. You may opt-out by. He wrote to say: “I’ve filed claims for 19 weeks of Oregon and Federal Stimulus Unemployment and haven’t seen a dime. Give them a number you will answer. I gave Joe the same advice I gave Mike who had filed for ten weeks with no money and no explanation of what was wrong. Claimants who don't understand their claim status or actions taken by their unemployment department can call and get assistance. 4. All I get is a computer-generated note saying I don’t qualify due to ‘a question about your self-employment.’ So I call. © 2020 Forbes Media LLC. For more information on getting paid if you are self-employed, an Independent Contractors, or Gig-Economy Worker this Forbes article is helpful : Unemployment Benefits For The Self-Employed, Independent Contractors, And Gig-Economy Workers: Lawyer On The Front Lines Answers Common Questions, A career counselor that helps clients land jobs, I offer Resume Writing, LinkedIn Profile Writing, and Interview Coaching services. 3. There can be several reasons for that, and with the current coronavirus pandemic in the U.S., you should probably expect some delays.
Emails seem to take longer to get a response, so calling is faster as members of State Legislatures have people answering their phones. Just like employers, unemployment programs run batches of paychecks.
You need to find your local STATE congressman.