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Unemployment benefits: the check is in the mail?

Feb 19th, 2009
by Rachel.

My saga continues with the California unemployment benefits system. I sent my claims form in over a week and a half ago and I still haven’t received my first unemployment check. I’m not entirely sure how long it takes after they’ve branded you unemployed and you’ve sent back the “did you apply for jobs” form. That would be a yes, I did apply for jobs — thank you.  Before I go all Sherlock Holmes and investigate the case of the missing unemployment benefits check; I take a step back. Patience Rachel, patience. Patience was not a virtue I was born with but it’s one I’m looking to splice into my DNA.

It’s not like the rest of the world is happy, employed and mocking me, the unemployed girl.  Calling up to find out about $450, pre-tax unemployment benefits claim isn’t going to get me the check any faster.  So I wait and I secretly complain inside my head, and then I read the news in the morning about how unemployment claims continuing to rise.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that the number of people receiving regular unemployment benefits rose 170,000 to 4.99 million for the week ending Feb. 7, marking the fourth straight week those receiving benefits have been at a record level on data going back to 1967.The Associated Press

And so Watson, I realize it’s better to roll with it then to make myself sick.  I don’t think doctors take I.O.Us.

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Posted in: Unemployed, Unemployment Benefits.
Tagged: · ·

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  • Halapiomele
    it has been a week,since i mail in my claim form,and i got a telephone interview from them asking me question about why i left my job and stuff.now they said over the phone to wait to hear from the state.what does that mean for my case.can someone help with my situation.
  • Cwellls6862
    I recently signed up for my unemployment benefits. Last week I received my first check. When I first signed up, I did not sign up for direct deposit because I did not know this was an option. I have attempted to go on line and sign up now for direct deposit. Every time I complete this for a window pops up advising me they have no such social security number. As I said above, I have already received one check and should get another one this week ------- can anyone explain this. Thanks.
  • latasha mccormick
    WHAT DAYS ARE UNEMPLOYMENT CFHECKS MAILED OUT
  • nikandjim
    You can also call this number to get a live person to talk about your problems with your unemployment issues it's 916-683-4400. And also if you have a telephone interview like a month away from the time you got the letter in the mail and want a sooner date as possible, you can walk into any EDD office in CA and talk to someone there and tell them you want to talk to a staff member to schedule you a sooner telephone interview, due to a hardship (you must bring either a 3day notice to quit on your rent from your property manager or landlord, smud or pg&e bill stating their going to turn off services with in 72hrs or sooner. Any one of those 3 purposes and a staff member should be able to help you. When walking into the EDD office, the person behind the counter might not be aware of this so mention to them that you called the 1-800 number of unemployment and the staff person directly told you to come in here to speak with someone to get a sooner date set up due to a hardship.
    I hope this information helps you guys.
  • Bob
    Rachel,

    That was the fastest response known to man (or women). Thanks so much for the great information. I did call today and requested they call me as I am still waiting for an email response from them. Just reading other responses on your blog (and getting a reply from you) gives me hope. I now feel I am not alone!!! Thanks Rachel for providing a vehicle for people to "vent". You are simply, "WONDERFUL". - Bob
  • Keep us updated, Bob. I truly hope that you'll get a call soon. You aren't alone and don't be afraid to ask for help. People are more than willing to help anyone in a time of need. :)
  • Bob
    I recently left San Francisco because I was laid off and could not continue to pay the huge rental fees/cost of living. I figured my unemployment benefits would "go further" in a small town so I made the big move out of SF. I checked the box at the bottom of my claim voucher regarding my new address. As I did this, I had this horrible feeling that my check would be "lost in the mail". It has now been 3 weeks since my last check, like Rachel, I have made myself sick simply waiting/worrying about my lost check. I am getting nowhere when I call EDD. I hate the lack of control I have in this matter. I am so tired of going to sleep thinking about my check and waking the next morning to repeat the process. I wish "much luck" to everyone on this blog and hope we all get what we rightlfully deserve.
  • Bob, have you been able to get anyone on the phone? I had the most luck when I used their web interface and requested they call me. The number comes up unavailable. It turned out I had filled out the form incorrectly putting in the information from my contract work. Once I figured out what I did wrong -- they walked me through it-- I got my check that next week. I hope your check comes soon, Bob.
  • April
    I was just laid off 3 weeks ago. I've been starting to get impatient about my check I thought I'd do some research and came across your blog. I feel sad for you all and now very discouraged. I'm not sure I'll ever see my checks! The weird thing is that I was temporarily unemployed at Christmas and I received a check for one of the weeks, but now I'm fully unemployed and can't get anything?!
  • April -- My checks finally have started coming. It takes time but now they come regularly. I hope yours come soon and don't give up hope.
  • That is horrible. I can't believe that they made you wait that long. The phone number doesn't work. I gave up trying and finally got my application in. It's one of the most backwards systems. Keep me updated and I hope you're able to get through even if you have to drive to Sacramento!
  • Karen
    Girlfriend, I have been waiting since November 1, 2008 to get my check. At first they denied me and I had to go before a judge in January. Then the judge ruled that I should be allowed to receive benefits. Yea! Well, today is February 25 and I'm still waiting for the check!!! They sent me a letter saying that I had to call them. It's impossible to get through the phone lines!!!! I've been calling every day. I think I have to make the drive to Sacramento & go to their office. It's ridiculous!!!!
  • Alice Baker
    Hi Karen,
    I am in the same situation as you in regards to unemployment. I was denied and then I got my letter from the judge for the reversal also. Did you ever get your checks or back payment? I filed my claim the first week of October, went to the appeal on the 11th of February and am still waiting.

    Thanks for your time and I would really appreciate if you would reply.

    Alice Baker
  • Candy
    I'm going through the same thing. I applied in early October, and was scheduled for a phone interview at the end of October because they had problems "identifying" me. After the phone interview, I was sent a denial letter because they still couldn't figure out who I was. Then I appealed and sent in every form of ID under the sun. Only then did they mail out claim forms (it was almost Christmas by this point). Then after I returned the claim forms, they mailed me another denial letter, stating the claim forms had not been turned in on time. I was finally scheduled a court date on Feb. 5th, and the decision was positive. Now it is March 12th, and the EDD just mailed me a letter denying me AGAIN because I am "unable to work." Too sick, they said. I don't know where they got that from, but it appears that I again have to appeal another decision and go to court. This is lame-o.
  • bha
    This must be the new "norm" because, I am getting the same run around. I filed for unemployment in August, my former company lied, and I had to go through the motions 2 times. I had a hearing in front of a judge (which went well) in Oct. It is now December 6th and I still have yet to get a ruling, check, or a job.
  • sounds like a lot of bureaucracy not to mention the front line folks that you usually have to deal with are certainly not the sharpest knife in the drawer. with nearly 12% unemployment in Cali these days makes you wonder if the bureaucracy is stepped up a bit.
  • That's horrible, and worst of all there is no way to call and talk to someone on the phone. I wish I could help or do something. Keep me updated. I hope it gets taken care of.
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