Unemployment Claim Snafu

[chuck matheny]

What is the name of your state? WASHINGTON

After getting laid off from my job, I promptly filed an unemployment claim. A little while later, a statement came that said I did not qualify for benefits, that I was entitled to zero dollars. Shortly after getting this information, I took a friend up on his offer to go fishing for a couple of weeks. I returned home with an ice chest full of halibut , and upon checking my mail found a letter from the STATE that said I was entitled to unemployment benefits after all. The catch is that I had to serve another 2 week waiting period, before I could receive benefits. Their mistake ended up costing me roughly $800, which is a lot of money if you are unemployed. I appealed their decision, which of course was rejected, now I would like to go over this departments' head and bring this matter to the attention of each and every agency that the unemployment dept. is accountable to. Any advise for my next move?

 

[BL]

What is the name of your state? WASHINGTON

After getting laid off from my job, I promptly filed an unemployment claim. A little while later, a statement came that said I did not qualify for benefits, that I was entitled to zero dollars. Shortly after getting this information, I took a friend up on his offer to go fishing for a couple of weeks. I returned home with an ice chest full of halibut , and upon checking my mail found a letter from the STATE that said I was entitled to unemployment benefits after all. The catch is that I had to serve another 2 week waiting period, before I could receive benefits. Their mistake ended up costing me roughly $800, which is a lot of money if you are unemployed. I appealed their decision, which of course was rejected, now I would like to go over this departments' head and bring this matter to the attention of each and every agency that the unemployment dept. is accountable to. Any advise for my next move?

Why would their " Mistake " cost you anything ?

They wrote and told you , you were entitled after all , but had a waiting period of 2 more weeks .

What does that have to do with Soc. Security Disability ?

 

[chuck matheny]

Good afternoon, B.L.

To answer your questions in sequence:

1. Their mistake caused me to wait 4 weeks for my first benefit check, instead of the normal 2 week period.

2. I decided to post here because the general heading is GOVERNMENT LAW, and I couldn't find a more appropriate sub heading. If you can suggest a better place to post this thread, please advise.

 

[BL]

Make a Complaint with the Labor Dept. It's been so many years that I have Collected unemployment , that I don't know the rules , But the Labor Dept. is the Place to Start .

WAITING PERIOD:

Before any benefits can be paid, an unpaid waiting period equivalent to one full week of unemployment must be served. The claimant is subject to the same eligibility requirements for this period as when they are receiving a benefit check. If the claimant works at all during the first week of the claim, or for other reasons does not serve a full waiting week, the unpaid time extends into the next week(s).

 

[chuck matheny]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check with our DEPT OF LABOR and INDUSTRIES to see if they have any authority to hear my case and intercede. I doubt that they do though. I think I need to hook up with some kind of independent "watch dog" agency, but I wouldn't know where to look.