I gotta say, this is a nightmare.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
04/10/2020 at 15:25 • Filed to: None

For whatever reason, I’ve still not received any unemployment benefits. I applied, and have filed my weekly claims. I have two confirmed payments of zero dollars, even though it says I’m supposed to be getting the amount listed on my file. It’s not like the money is “on the way” or maybe got sent to the wrong account or anything: the state says $0.00. Even though I was laid off, am not working, am not receiving any pay of any kind. To compound issues further, I’ve received the two standby approvals from the state (latest one running to May 4th, when the current shelter-in-place order expires.

So I’m unemployed. I’ve filed . I’m approved for an amount. I’m approved for standby. But I’m making zero dollars. I gotta say, I knew I would be making less on unemployment... but going down to zero dollars in the short term is actually really really really really really really bad.

Of course the system is overloaded and you can’t call in. Phone lines won’t even let you remain on hold. I’ve sent three emails within my account asking, “pardon me, but ?!?!?!?!?” And I requested a scheduled callback. Earliest callback available? MAY 19th.

It’ll maybe, possibly, eventually get resolved, and in theory I would be back-paid what I should have gotten over the last two weeks. But I have this extreme fear that apparently I won’t be receiving a penny until after May 19th. Meaning my income between 3/25 and 5/19 — about 56 days or so — will be zero dollars. This could get very ugly for me.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (24)

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 15:36

Thats tough but the solution is simple: go into hibernation.

I wish I could give you some more practical advice but I got nothing. You can always vent here though. Good luck and stay safe.

Ash78, voting early and often > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 15:37

Damn....do you have any old 401(k) or IRA accounts you can pull from? Hardship withdrawals are always penalty-free and will help you avoid going into credit card debt. Then you can repay them once the benefits show up, then hopefully reap some rewards of the stock market bouncing back later this year.

That’s the best advice I have, but also call ALL of your creditors and ask for assistance. Almost all of them have something in place right now for relief.

Good luck, sir...I know our unemployment offices were far from prepared for this.

DipodomysDeserti > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 15:37

Same thing is happening in AZ. Out DES runs on computer systems from the ‘80s and is completely overwhelmed.

This is going to get very bad. As more and more people continue to get laid off.

Good luck and I hope you get paid soon.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 15:39

Yeah if you applied when this all happened there is a delay. I work a random schedule on shows so I am always on it and I just put that I earned $ 999.99 if I worked and then they don’t pay me, but I’m always ready for a week off since I stay in the system. A few people in my union don’t do what I do and said they haven’t gotten it yet. I don’t understand what I was paid though, they said something about $600 a week or an extra $600 a week, but I was paid my usual amount for two weeks and then the next two weeks I just got a little more, so I can’t figure out their math or policy. At least they paid me something . My wife has never filed before and I got her going there, she hasn’t been paid yet.

Nom De Plume > Ash78, voting early and often
04/10/2020 at 15:45

To wit, I heard you need to specifically use the term laid off due to Covid(-19) in order to open up access to those options in some cases.

gmctavish needs more space > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 15:47

Yikes. Some banks up here are letting people defer mortgage payments, I don’t know if any US banks are doing the same? Same with our utility providers.

ICBC is also letting people defer insurance payments.

Other than that, my only advice is to stock up on rice, beans, pasta, etc, and get ready to spend as little as possible.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 15:56

Are you in MN because my roommate is going through 100% the identical thing.

ranwhenparked > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 15:59

What a cluster. If you hadn't received any payment, that would be chalked up to the system being overwhelmed. The fact that they actually paid you $0 is pure incompetence and completely insulting

NKato > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 16:02

I entered unemployment the week before shit hit the fan. I didn’t get clearance until after two weeks.

I’m the lucky one, apparently.

As for finance... get in touch with BECU. They had offered a 0% APR loan for 24 months for $2500. That helped me this month.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
04/10/2020 at 16:03

Wershington

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 16:03

Meh, same thing.....

Jim Spanfeller > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 16:17

Um... I saw in a documentary that you can inexpensively make beans and rice more filling and significantly longer-lasting (in terms of how much you need to eat each day) by adding big dollops of lard. Other than that, I’m not sure what to tell you. Your situation really sucks :(

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 16:20

When 17 Million people file for unemployment insurance is 4 weeks what do we expect? I’m truly sorry all of the folks out of work right now, this really sucks balls. To be frank I’d be fucked royally in a two to three months without income.

speedy964 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 16:23

The options that other people have proposed are great. Here are mine. 1. Are there any family members that can help you out with expenses? 2. Start a Go Fund Me. I know you probably don’t want to rely on others, but you might not have a choice.

Speed > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 16:27

I sent my wife this article. She could have written this herself because she’s in the exact same predicament. Kentucky here.

HammerheadFistpunch > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 16:32

Want to touch bases? hhfp.kinja@yahoo.com

RPM esq. > NKato
04/10/2020 at 16:32

Good idea, NKato . Zoidberg, here’s the info. Up to $1000, 0% interest for 12 months, 90-day deferred first payment. It’s not a ton but it’ll help. https://www.becu.org/loans-and-mortgages/personal

sony1492 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 16:34

It would be terrible but you do have things you could sell to stay afloat

Future next gen S2000 owner > HammerheadFistpunch
04/10/2020 at 16:36

Your bases should stay 6 feet apart or more.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/10/2020 at 17:23

I got laid off back in February and while I started a new job on April 2nd, it took until April 1st to get any payment from the government, even here in canadaland

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > gmctavish needs more space
04/10/2020 at 19:32

ICBC’s claims are down nearly 50%. Most insurers in Canada and the US are giving premium refunds... I wouldn’t hold our breath here though

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > speedy964
04/12/2020 at 20:47

I can't ask for cash, but I will accept donations in the form of Tercels.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > sony1492
04/12/2020 at 20:47

Well I used to sell my body, but that's not keeping with the spirit of social distancing. Hence my unemployment.

NKato > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/12/2020 at 23:00

You shouldn't be ashamed of asking for cash. Corporate America does it all the time.