California Unemployment Help
December 22, 2009 9:00 PM Subscribe
Should I get a lawyer to battle the California unemployment office?
I was laid off in Oct '09. I filed for unemployment (California) same day, and waited until Nov '09 for my eligibility phone interview. I was then told in Nov '09 that my claim fell under the 'dates' (by one week - previous claim was never finalized because they could not verify my identity & by the time I received their requests I had another job and no longer needed it) of a previous claim from '08. I was told to submit a 'new' claim and EDD would backdate to Oct '09. I received a letter requesting another eligibility interview (which I just had) on 22 Dec '09. It turns out that the second claim I filed had not been backdated - and I still have not received any payments. EDD then offered to backdate this current claim but warned that I might not receive any money until Feb '10.
I'm at a loss as to what to do next - I don't think I can afford to wait until Feb '10 for any kind of payments, but feel that I am entitled to collect on all the weeks that I have been unemployed - especially if I'm able to find employment in Jan/Feb.
Friends suggest getting a lawyer but I'm not sure how that would help. Hive mind - what should I do?
I was laid off in Oct '09. I filed for unemployment (California) same day, and waited until Nov '09 for my eligibility phone interview. I was then told in Nov '09 that my claim fell under the 'dates' (by one week - previous claim was never finalized because they could not verify my identity & by the time I received their requests I had another job and no longer needed it) of a previous claim from '08. I was told to submit a 'new' claim and EDD would backdate to Oct '09. I received a letter requesting another eligibility interview (which I just had) on 22 Dec '09. It turns out that the second claim I filed had not been backdated - and I still have not received any payments. EDD then offered to backdate this current claim but warned that I might not receive any money until Feb '10.
I'm at a loss as to what to do next - I don't think I can afford to wait until Feb '10 for any kind of payments, but feel that I am entitled to collect on all the weeks that I have been unemployed - especially if I'm able to find employment in Jan/Feb.
Friends suggest getting a lawyer but I'm not sure how that would help. Hive mind - what should I do?
If you are in the Bay Area, you can get free legal advice including (sometimes) free legal representation about UI at the Legal Aid Society -- Employment Law Center, 415-864-8848. (Disclosure: I work there.)
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 11:13 PM on December 22, 2009
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 11:13 PM on December 22, 2009
When this type of snafu happened to me, I called my state representative and senator and they had the problem fixed that afternoon.
posted by Mjolnir at 11:32 PM on December 22, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Mjolnir at 11:32 PM on December 22, 2009 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
i suggest waiting until after the holidays are over and then giving it another week before you start to complain about your UE money.
Most importantly, just be patient, kind, and understanding. The people of the EDD are stretched beyond a reason of a doubt and they are simply trying to do their job. Remember, you technically are the reason for the delay, you didn't complete your filing back in '08, which probably flagged your for secondary identification with any new claims, thus throwing a wrench into the process.
posted by banannafish at 10:44 PM on December 22, 2009 [1 favorite]