Being unemployed is the pits

[DavidDvorkin]

In my case, no state unemployment benefits until May, if then. I started Social Security four years earlier than I had planned, so that we'd have something to live on.

Today, I got a letter saying that SS has overpaid me, so I won't get the next two monthly checks. I think that's because of the estimate I gave them of my expected earnings during 2009. As it turns out, those earnings didn't happen, so I'll appeal and, I hope, I'll get the money after all. But in the meantime, there won't be any money coming in. Sigh. I have no idea how long it will take to clear up the problem.

I'm sure there are DUers who are in even worse shape, and they have my full sympathy. It's just that I've been working so hard at being stoic and strong and hopeful, and then I got that letter today, and something broke inside. It's so damned hard, sometimes.

[wryter2000]

1. I'm so sorry

It must seem as if they're drawing straws on who gets to crush you today. :hug:

[DavidDvorkin]

2. Ha! It does seem that way.

[Frosty1]

3. As long as you have appealed

I believe your monthly checks should continue until that appeal is settled. Anyone else know?
That is the way it used to work.

[tonysam]

4. I am too young to retire at nearly 55

No job prospects in sight. I am sure at one point I will have to work for myself. I don't see any other alternative.

[dana_b]

5. wow - I too am sorry

not in a pitiful manner - just sorry that this has happened to you and to so many others as well.

Let's cross the fingers that the appeal goes through for you.

[Fire1]

6. I feel your pain. There are some real hard choices many of us

will have to make but we can live through it and survive.

[Thickasabrick]

7. Really sorry to hear that - I don't think it's fair for SS to be doing that so I

really hope your appeal works.

Hang in there!!

:hug:

[Caliman73]

8. I can't even bear to imagine it. I hope something comes along for you soon.

Good luck.

[XemaSab]

9. You should go apply at the census

The pay is lousy, but something is better than nothing. :shrug:

[Ruby the Liberal]

10. I hear ya. It sucks.

Why no benefits until May?? Thats 6 months from now.

[DavidDvorkin]

11. It's a strange story

Or it seemed strange to me. It happened because after I lost my job in May, I withdrew money from my 401k to get us out of debt. Maybe it's actually a common problem, and I just didn't know what I was doing.

Anyway, details here:

http://eyeblister.blogspot.com/2009/10/screwed-by-state.html

[Ruby the Liberal]

12. Dear Lord - how draconian!?

First you get hit with penalties for cashing out the portion you did, and now they call that "severance"?

I feel ya, my friend. That is brutal. Thanks for posting this. It will remain in the back of my mind for my next layoff (I am currently unemployed but no 401k) and my sister just got her layoff notice the day before Thanksgiving.

I know all states are different, but this is VERY important information.

[DavidDvorkin]

14. Judging by the Google search strings

that result in hits on that blog posting, I suspect that other states have similar laws.

It wouldn't bother me quite so much if they'd warned me ahead of time!

[udbcrzy2]

13. That's a bummer

Our state unemployment amount is only $320.00 weekly and if you get any money (ss or part-time job) they just deduct it
from the 320.00. Hope things get better for you:)

[Neecy]

15. I don't know if this will help

But ChaCha is hiring again for the first time in almost a year. You work from home answering questions from goofy kids and the like. The pay isn't great but they give you a debit card and you can download your earnings into it whenever you want. I do it part time to support my dog rescue.

You can apply here:

https://guideregistration.chacha.com/

You have to take a series of proficiency tests and pass them before you can work. It's a simple job and it's fast grocery money, if that will help keep you afloat until SS gets worked out.

[ohheckyeah]

16. Would you like to be shown as the

referring guide? If so, please pm me the user name to give ChaCha and thanks for the tip.

[Neecy]

17. No

I didn't post it to make money off of anyone, although thanks for asking.

Good luck on the test! Let me know if you need any tips in passing it.

[ohheckyeah]

19. Thanks.

I got a 100 on the test.

[Neecy]

20. That's great!

It's actually pretty fun work. They have various contests over the weekends and holidays, and you can also get a weekly bonus for quality. They're starting a revenue sharing program this month as well.

[ohheckyeah]

21. Cool

It was for expediter.

[Neecy]

22. That's good

You make more money being an expediter than a Guide. It's fast and simple work.

[ohheckyeah]

23. It sounds like it could be fun.

I'm on the Internet a lot any way so might as well do something productive.

Thanks again for the tip. I'd never heard of ChaCha before.

[ohheckyeah]

24. Just to clarify, that was the qualifying test, not the final

test. That one sounds harder.

[aikoaiko]

18. Do whatever you have to do to survive. Good luck.

[DavidDvorkin]

25. Conservative spies

I noticed hits on my resume from a conservative site. (I'll send the link directly to anyone who wants it.)

Turns out there's a forum there containing a discussion of this DU thread. The cons over there have read my resume and are convinced that my unemployment is my fault (an attitude I've certainly run into before on the part of those Neanderthals), and that what I said about state unemployment benefits and my 401k is utterly false and I must have been denied state unemployment benefits because I lied on my application. They also sneered about "Bo" not having fixed everything already.

You know, if one of those guys had a story similar to mine, I'd express sympathy, and I think everyone else here would, as well.

[Bertha Venation]

26. Suggestion re this post

You may wish to edit to delete at least the link, if not the text. I've seen threads get locked because of posting links to conservative fora.

And I'm sorry to hear of your hard times. :hug:

[DavidDvorkin]

27. I considered that, but

I thought there were only certain sites we weren't supposed to link to. That one's new to me.

However, on second thought, I decided you're right. I edited that link out. If anyone really wants to go there, I can send it to them directly.

[DavidDvorkin]

28. Seems to be straightened out now

I called the main Social Security office and after the inevitable wait spoke to someone who updated my records with the correct amount of money earned, as opposed to the wildly optimistic estimate I'd given them a while ago.

She didn't think it would be in time for the next check, so we probably won't get one in December. But the January check will be double, according to her. So we'll tighten our belts a bit and wait it out. This is quite a relief.

I've had only good experiences when dealing with SS people. They're friendly, kind, helpful, and competent.

Thanks for the sympathy, guys.

As for the conservative eavesdroppers who think my situation is amusing and my unemployment is my fault: fuck you, you dipshits.

[madokie]

29. try being disabled and still look of a sound body

Being unemployed sucks I agree

[mdmc]

30. --