*UPDATE*

There are times when I must admit I am wrong possibly mistaken, and this just might be one of them (how's that for non-committal?).

Reuben called back yesterday afternoon! Yes, a state employee not only kept his word, but did so in a timely manner. Apparently no one is quite sure what this hold is that found its way to my benefit week. Fortunately, Reuben's supervisor has the authority to remove the hold and did so. Funds for the benefit week "should be" deposited to my account on Wednesday.

I talked to Reuben's supervisor and told him what a great job Reuben did. It seems kind of strange to be giving kudos to someone who is DOING THEIR JOB, but it is so rare to get good customer service that I felt I should encourage the behavior.

Do I dare be optimistic?

Unemployment - The Remix

EGADS! Can I please go back to work? Someone? Anyone? I've got some great, marketable skills! This unemployment thing is driving me batty!!

So, as previously discussed, I filed an unemployment claim last year but never collected because I quickly found a job. I applied for benefits this year and they tell me I have an unpaid waiting week due on my last claim for the benefit year ending 11/11/2007. OK, I don't agree, I file an appeal, I move forward.

I now start a NEW benefit year. Of course, there is another unpaid waiting week due for that benefit year (week ending 11/17). So now I've been unemployed for two weeks and have yet to see any $$. Fine, I can scrape by with TWO waiting weeks pending my appeal - everything should be on track, right?

I get a benefit check for the week ending 11/24 - things are looking up! On Monday, I call in to certify for benefits for the weeks ending 12/1 and 12/8. I've even got direct deposit set up now. Any guesses on where this is going??

Well, I got $$ for the week ending 12/8, but NOT for the week ending 12/1. WTF?? (that was for you RockDog). Let's call the unemployment office so that I can blog about shitty customer service like Jay did today. Ahhhh ... and I wasn't even disappointed.

I talk to "Reuben" and immediately think of corned beef, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing and rye bread - I'm hungry!

Distracted ... concentrate ... Reuben is speaking English - kind of. Reuben goes through all of the obligatory security questions and then gets very, very quiet. He mentions something about a hold of some type on benefits for the week ending 12/1, but can't seem to tell me what kind of hold it is or why it is there. He starts "fishing" for a little help, trying to come up with something *I* must have done to make this happen. Sorry Reuben, I can't help you there. I've been doing EXACTLY what I am supposed to be doing.

A few more moments of silence with an "ummmm" added for covering his ass emphasis and he says, I'm on the phone cue this afternoon and it is really busy. I'll need to look in to this when I have a spare moment and get back to you." It's another WTF?? moment. Reuben didn't seem to give a rat's ass care about the fact that this is my son's Christmas gift we are talking about. Instead, he assured me he would get back to me, but just in case he forgot he gave me his direct extension. I guess I'll just take his direct extension to the bank and attempt to deposit that in my checking account! Or better yet, maybe I can use it as a gift card at Target!!

I know this will all work out, but dammit I am tired of doing someone elses job and not getting paid for it!