Unemployment checks still going out

July 1st, 2009, 11:30 am · 50 Comments · posted by Mary Ann Milbourn

California's budget impasse won't affect unemployment checks, but the Fourth of July holiday may.

Unemployment benefits are paid from a state trust fund and federal funds so they won't be subject to the IOUs the state will be sending out to vendors and others paid from the state's general fund, says Loree Levy, spokeswoman for the state Employment Development Department.

Jobless workers, however, may see their checks delayed due to the Fourth of July holiday. The EDD office will be open Friday but the call centers and One Stop offices will be closed Saturday for the holiday. Those services been available half-days on Saturday. The U.S. Post Office also will not be delivering mail.

A notice on the EDD web site says:

"Any continued claim forms received by the Department on Friday July 3, 2009 will be processed and the checks will be mailed on Monday July 6, 2009. The holiday may also impact the receipt or delivery of continued claim forms you may send to or receive from the Department."

Jobless workers in California have continued to receive benefits checks even though the state's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund ran out of money in January. The state has borrowed money from the federal government to keep the checks going out.

The trust fund is supported through employer contributions. However because of the major jump in California's unemployment — it was a modern-day record of 11.5% in May — employer contributions haven't kept up. The state now expects the fund to be $17.8 billion in the red by the end of next year.

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Shila says:

July 1, 2009 at 12:09 pm

You know what makes angry? I heard someone say, "I'm not going to look for work now. I'm getting unemployment money." I know it's hard to find a job nowadays, but really... not even try?

DANA says:

July 1, 2009 at 12:32 pm

I agree. I know a guy who was fired. He's trying to get unemployment. He's paid so much into the fund, he figures he'll just use it up until he can find his, "perfect job." Good luck, I tell him.
- Mary Ann Milbourn says:
  
  July 1, 2009 at 12:55 pm
  
  Only employers pay into the unemployment insurance fund.
  - ocobserver says:
    
    July 1, 2009 at 3:39 pm
    
    mary, but don't exployers simply pay a premium on insurance (eg. 6% (or whatever) of first $10500 per employee). During these times of high unemployment what would happen if the premiums paid did not cover the employment benefits paid to a company's layed off employees? Doesn't the government pick up the excess benefits paid?
- Johnb says:
  
  July 1, 2009 at 2:34 pm
  
  If he was fired, he won't get any unemployment. If you're fired you don't get unemployment. If you quit, you have to show a reasonable cause.
  - my cat is a rock star says:
    
    July 1, 2009 at 6:33 pm
    
    Being fired is the only way you CAN get unemployment. Being laid off is the same thing as being fired.
- patience says:
  
  July 1, 2009 at 2:36 pm
  
  I don't think you can apply for unemployment if you are fired or leave a workplace on your own (i.e., not laid off).
  - Melissa says:
    
    July 5, 2009 at 2:29 pm
    
    If you can't get unemployment if you are fired, or quit, then how else would you get it?? That statement doesn't make any sense. You can receive benefits either way. But you have a better chance getting them if you are fired, laid off etc. If you quit a job, you have to show REALLY good cause for leaving that job.
michelle says:

July 1, 2009 at 1:14 pm

I really doubt that is true, have you ever tired to live on unemployment? Its great for a month and then you realize how much of your savings you’re spending. The max amount is $1950.00 a month; then take out taxes, down to $1750.00 a month. My rent is 1100.00, my cobra is 450.00 (I have preexisting condition breast cancer) so that leaves me 200.00 a month for food, gas, cell phone, electric. Guess what I'm behind every month. I was making 75K a years so I qualified for the max amount. When I applied just last week for customer service job, the recruiter at COX was actually irritated that I was wasting her time, because of my experience and college degree. Told me to try somewhere that fits my qualifications, doesn't she think I would if there was any jobs avl????? Do you really think that we enjoy being belittled for not working?? In the last 15 years I have never been out of work, try spending sometime in someone else shoes before you criticize.
OH and most important - unemployment is paid from a fund that my employer and I paid into. And remember I was someone who averages 7-9 thousand a year in taxes and I don't qualify for any gov services.
Why don't you send your anger at people who don't pay taxes but have no problem being supported by all of the gov services.
- Republidemotaria says:
  
  July 1, 2009 at 2:14 pm
  
  When you're income is reduced you have to decrease your expenditures too. You have to decide what are real "necessities". A cell phone isn't a necessity. It's a luxury or a "nice to have". Remember, there are working people who make less than $1950 per month and support a family on that income.
  
  If people earned first, saved second, gave third and spent only what was left on their lifestyle then the world would be a better place. It's also easier to weather hard times when you've saved up a 3 to 6 month "emergency fund" cushion for living expenses.
  
  There is no shame in being unemployed but nemployment insurance isn't designed to replace your entire income and support every aspect of a consumptive lifestyle. I applaud your effort for trying to find work even where you may be considered overqualified.
  - sunshine says:
    
    July 1, 2009 at 3:19 pm
    
    Since you seem to know it all, let see how consumptive my lifestyle really is. My cell phone is half of what a home phone cost so I gave up the home phone. I gave up cable TV and I did keep my internet because of job hunting. I have down size to sharing an apt and drive a piece of crap that gets me to interviews. My meds for the breast cancer with my cobra still cost me $150 a month. And the only thing on my credit cards is medical bills which I am paying off. Since I was saving to buy a house for the last 5 years and wanted to be responsible and get a house I could afford and be able to put 20% down. I haven't taken a vacation, gone out to eat more that once a month, bought new clothes from somewhere other than Target. Did I save money, yes I did, but does it hurt to know I have save for the last 5 years to buy a house and now I have to use that money just to have necessities. I'm better than most I could last at least a year without a job, but being that my lifestyle was less than what I’m sure you would consider consumptive. Since you seem to know it all I guess the cost of two bouts of breast cancer in the last 4 years is just frivolous spending of my money. I don’t have a designer purse, clothes or get my nails done. I don’t buy expensive makeup and my favorite shopping place is the 99 cent store and this has been going on for the last 5 years of my life.
    
    My post wasn’t about expecting to be getting the same about of money from unemployment that I was making; my post was about being critical of people who are unemployment from a bad economy. And from people like you assuming that all people who have been laid off are just lazy and don’t want to work, oh and let not forget we are all just spending money willy-nilly on a consumptive lifestyle.
    
    I bet every cent I have you wouldn’t be able to live as frugally as I have been living, see you tend to get that way when your not sure if your going to be diagnosed terminal snd end up living on the streets.
  - JW says:
    
    July 2, 2009 at 11:56 pm
    
    Ridiculous! A cell phone these days is a necessity. What if a perspective employer is calling? I'd want that call ASAP. A house phone is a luxury.
- drob says:
  
  July 1, 2009 at 2:25 pm
  
  HANG IN THERE!
- Franj says:
  
  July 1, 2009 at 2:29 pm
  
  Michelle, I am in the same boat - I worked over 24 years, never collected unemployment, got laid off and I have been told that I made too much money in my previous job. I am going to "dumby" down my resume. Until then I am applying for unemployment. If I am denied I will go to the hearing.
- my cat is a rock star says:
  
  July 1, 2009 at 2:35 pm
  
  You actually did not pay into the UI fund (employees pay into the Disability fund) but what a nasty person to interview with! Considering the total idiots at Cox, she should have snapped you up!! I have been put of work since April 15th and have 28 yrs experience in my field. It is tough going but we need to keep getting up everyday and plugging away...persistence pays off! With any luck she will be in your position one day and then lets see how she acts!
- asuperstar says:
  
  July 1, 2009 at 3:00 pm
  
  Good luck. You will find something.
  - sunshine says:
    
    July 1, 2009 at 3:20 pm
    
    Thanks for the supportive post and good luck to all of you!!!!!

Maf says:

July 1, 2009 at 12:42 pm

I've been looking for work for 1 year and still cant find a job. I decided to give up and just go back to school. It sucks but it really is hard lately.

archieleach says:

July 1, 2009 at 12:51 pm

My understanding is that you must show proof of trying to get a job in order to recieve unemployment checks. Is that not the case?

Republidemotaria says:

July 1, 2009 at 1:07 pm

Nope. My sister was laid off from a manufacturing job 18 months ago and is still drawing unemployment benefits. She hasn't looked for a job once! She's been "going to school" taking such courses as Photoshop for Beginners. I'm sure that will prove very useful in finding a job for which she is actually qualified. All this on the government / taxpayers dime. My whole family is angry with her.
- sunshine says:
  
  July 1, 2009 at 1:31 pm
  
  Sorry she isn't trying but this money isn't taxpayer money or gov money. I would agree with you if she is recieving other services.
  - Republidemotaria says:
    
    July 1, 2009 at 2:05 pm
    
    If the State of California administers the EDD program and those who work for the agency get their checks from the state then it is taxpayer money. I don't think the premiums paid by employers cover the administrative costs of the system too. By the way, the insurance fund is operating with an approximate $17 billion deficit right now. If the State can't recoup that money from employers (who are fleeing California for other states) then who is left holding the bag? The California taxpayer.
    
    In a perfect world no taxpayer money is at risk. As you can tell, California is as far from a "perfect world" right now as you can get in the U.S.A.
me in tustin says:

July 1, 2009 at 1:39 pm

To my knowledge, the EDD merely asks you on your claim form each time you fill it out to receive a check whether you are looking for work, are available to work and if there was anything other than being sick preventing you from working. It also requires for you to post your resume online with the EDD Jobs website. Other than that, I don't know how else it requires you to prove you are actually looking. If someone signs up for "retraining," though, they are not required to look for a job while they collect.
my cat is a rock star says:

July 1, 2009 at 2:37 pm

Only if the box on your Continued Claim form is checked and then you can pretty much put anything. They are so overwhelmed they won't check. My interview for UI was a month after I had been fired so I did not get a check for 6 weeks!

Core says:

July 1, 2009 at 1:06 pm

I was able to get unemployment insurance for 13 weeks being paid $248 + $25 per week pre federal tax.

I could find a bad job that pays that, but I would rather put the time and effort into finding a good job with more longterm opportunity. I don't feel that bad. In my opinion, the state of CA overcharges DMV costs and highway driving violations big time.

Republidemotaria says:

July 1, 2009 at 2:02 pm

Rational people aren't against unemployment. It provides a limited safety for people to transition to another job or field. However, all taxpayers should be opposed to anyone who "games the system" or simply refuses to seek employment until their benefits run out. Unemployment insurance isn't supposed to subsidize apathy or laziness.

Free Wheeling Franklin says:

July 1, 2009 at 2:25 pm

I love my FUNemployment checks! I'm kickin it at the beach while you suckers toil away in your dismal jobs!
Another couple of months when the well runs dry, I'll pick up a new gig.

pringles says:

July 4, 2009 at 5:48 pm

Yea, but in the meantime you don't pay into the social security fund, your IRA fund, 401k fund, and you cannot buy a slick new car which I just bought. I'm also learning new things in my field of work so my value as an employee grows by the month. Enjoy being lazy and unproductive.

Margaret says:

July 1, 2009 at 2:29 pm

I was out of work last year for 6 months. I went through a temp agency the job i have now doesnt pay much better than unemployment and before i was making lots more money its extremely hard especially if you are over 50 every where i went 300 plus people were applying for jobs and no one wanted to pay for anything I am single and supporting a daughter and grandaughter who is two my daughter contributes what she can I would feel so stressed and so overwhelmed that i would get up in the middle of the night and try to find jobs on my computer if you have a job be grateful and dont critzies because you truly have no idea what is is like right now and unemployment for most of us even getting maxium benefits you cant survive on it for any length of time is was getting 1850.00 a month plus unemployment is so screwed up if you make even 1 mistake on your form they will not send you money and you dont get another form for another two weeks some months I had no money at all for an entire month and good luck calling the unemployment office you would be put on indefinte hold or it would automatically disconnect you. I know people who have been out of work for over a year. Its really scarry and sad what is going on and the people who have their jobs are oblivious to it.

Laura says:

July 1, 2009 at 2:40 pm

I think it'd odd that the state will continue to pay unemployment, but not their own employs that are actually working. I know money has different colors, but really...that is completely ridiculous

justmyopinion says:

July 1, 2009 at 2:44 pm

Thats ok. I have a neighbor who has worked the system for years. Working long enough to collect, then bouncing between diability and unemployment. They have the system down to a science. The really frustrating part is that if I ever need this benefit, (I have never used it) it may not be there for myself or my family members.

fher says:

WELL HEY WHY WORK. OBAMA SAID WE DONT NEED TO WORK THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF US. THE SAVIOR IS HERE FOR US. BIG DADDY GOVERNMENT WILL GET US OUT OF THIS . WOW AND TO THINK THIS IDIOT ONLY GOT 52% OF THE VOTE AND HE THINKS HE IS GOD. WAKE UP PEOPLE ITS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE IF THEY PASS CAP AND TAX, AND SOCIALIZED HEALTH CARE. NO WONDER THIS MARXIST SIDED WITH HUGO CHAVEZ AND CASTRO. 22nd AMENDMENT WATCH OUT CAUSE HUSEIN OBAMA IS COMING.

myday says:

July 1, 2009 at 2:45 pm

How does anyone go to school and collect unemployment? I am elegiable to go to school through the GI Bill, but EDD says that I will probably loose my payments if I do enroll. If anyboby knows the answer let me know please. I have emailed EDD 2X's and I don't get a definitive answer.

Johnb says:

July 1, 2009 at 2:49 pm

I don't mind people getting unemployment, at least they spend the money locally. It helps people to stay in business. What I hate is the bail out money to Wall St and banks. Hundreds of billions that are now missing. They can't account for any of the money. All of that money would have been better spent on unemployment.

July 1, 2009 at 2:51 pm

Myday, EDD will not allow you to attend school during the day, when you can be looking for a job. They don't care about night school or online classes. They will allow you to take classes from certain programs such as ROP (Regional Occupation Program).

July 1, 2009 at 3:05 pm

Johnb,
Are you sure about night classes? Do I need to tell them if I do attend night classes? That was my plan, but they would not address that question specifically.
Thank you for your help!

JohnB says:

July 1, 2009 at 3:48 pm

myday, I would go to your local EDD office and ask them, to make sure. When I was first laid off in 2002, I was told taking night classes would not be a problem. (any class after 5pm). You have to tell them BEFORE starting your classes. If you tell them afterwards, they might deny you. They will look for any reason to deny your claim.
EDD has local walk in offices. Talk to them.

John says:

July 1, 2009 at 3:08 pm

I was on unemployment for over a year. I finally found a job with a company in Feburary. Before that happened, I was sending my resume to anyone and everyone in my field. I redid my resume over and over again trying to find that magic touch that would make a potiential employer pick up the phone and call me or send me an e-mail.

NOTHING! I got nothing back from anyone. No "Thank You for appying", No "The position has been filled", Nothing! Dead air!

Being told that you are over qualified for the job doesnt help either. I'm told that I'm over qualified alot. If I'm over qualified then that means that I CAN do the job. Right? Not according to them. So i'm being discriminated over the fact that they THINK that I will ask for too much money or something else that they dont want to admit. I think that the most agonizing thing is not getting any feedback or information about the potiential jobs being applied to but also the games played by the EDD just to receive my unemployment check that both my employer and I paid into is just too much. Calling and e-mailing EDD is a lost cause as all you will ever get is recording after recording of menu options that will either make you wait until you die on hold or make you give up and try another day or your inquiries falls on deaf ears.

Unemployment is state funded and Unemployment extension is federally funded. Federal extension is not automatically granted to anyone and everyone that applies for EDD benefits. EDD does not pay much, as I too reached my maximum benefit amount and found myself slowly creaping into the red even after reducing my expenses to bare minimum, not to mention the fact that the bank continued hammering me with overdraft charges knowing that I was unemployed at the time didnt help any (Thanks WAMU!!! We bailed you out and then you give your customers the shaft. WAMU/Chase doesn't deserve the customers it has).

Things are very difficult for everyone, especially for those that are unemployed. It's not fun waking up every day not knowing what the future has in store for you. I agree with others here in saying, dont judge unless you've been in that situation.

Best of luck to everyone still unemployed.

Servando says:

July 1, 2009 at 4:13 pm

I had a stable job working internally for a staffing agency and was directly recruited by another agency for more money. Unfortunately, they were fined $50,000 by OSHA and had to lay me off 5 months later. I took a risk and lost. Since then, my stable job is in a hiring freeze so I can't go back. Applying online is so boring and monotonous, and it's true... they don't even contact you to let you know that they've recieved your resume/application.

The next UI check I recieve will exhaust my funds (including the first extension). My question is, "Do I qualify for a second extension?" Also, "What is this new federal extension all about?"

Johnb says:

July 1, 2009 at 5:22 pm

If you got the first extension, you will get the second extension. The first extension was 7 weeks, second extension is 13 weeks. The Federal Extension is 20 weeks. If you qualify for the first and second extension, you qualify for the Federal Extension in most cases. There are some exceptions for the Federal Extension.

July 1, 2009 at 4:16 pm

It sucks that people judge me as a low life living off of the government when actually, I have perfect attendance for my last 3 jobs (5years). I feel so stressed out and unsure about the future.... The job market is not getting any better soon. So all you people who collect and don't look for work are going to be really sorry when the funds expire!

Johnb says:

July 1, 2009 at 5:26 pm

Don't let what others say bother you. If they lost their job, do you think they would turn down unemployment? I don't think so. There's nothing wrong with getting unemployment while you're looking for work.

laurie says:

July 1, 2009 at 6:54 pm

Servando, Johnb is right don't feel bad, I am receiving benefits and don't feel bad at all, I have worked 3 jobs in the last 34 years and this is my first time being laid off. I have been off for three months now and I do look, but it is hard I do feel I deserve the assistance.

etirpsha says:

July 1, 2009 at 8:52 pm

What is wrong with this picture? State employees are given an IOU, not a paycheck. The unemployed, however, get a check they can take to the bank and exchange for coin of the realm.

Insanity reigns!

wicked white says:

July 1, 2009 at 9:10 pm

You can be fired from a job and still collect a check , the unemployment office will always side with the employee and the employer needs to go court to appeal the decision, so the employer is always the bad guy, the state makes it way to hard to fire employees , you are always better to just lay them off !

Ralph says:

July 1, 2009 at 11:59 pm

For those whom talk about eliminating personal luxuries while collecting UEB...you must be stupid.

A cell phone is a luxury your young kids do not need. A car is a luxury that your teenagers do not need. However, as adults whom are forced to seek work to repair a state deficit created by irresponsible spending at the hands of the once replican dominated house,; a cell phone and car are necessities required to find work. While your kids may utilize the computer for their own pleasure at your expense and youre perfectly ok with that. There are those of us whom utilize that luxury to seek employment.

I am not ashamed at all to collect UEB for it is the employer and I whom have contributed to that cost. My employer is the one whom let me go. Thereby, the employer should pay for my lack of employment. My lack of employment was the result of my employer choosing to increase his quality of life, by replacing me with some one else at less wages, minus benefits. It is not a choice I have at this time to rent my residence. Thereby, choosing a job requires being picky. My landlord refuses to lower their rent, and I refuse to live in the desert. Actually I would be spending more to commute from the IE, than if I were to remain here and find employment, where my wages are either matched or the wages and benefits equaled out.

The same way that every one complains about high gas prices and the cost of food, maybe those of you home owners should follow your own criticism ,and lower your rent. Theres no one person to blame. Unfortunately, there are those whom have an edge at spending more than the average. And its those whom need to re-evaluate themselves and realize who they are sincerely hurting. For I can return to work, and be termed within 30 days and guess what. Im back on the UE line, only this time I will not recieve the same dollar amt as before. That means Im homeless, jobless and worthless., and no one will give a da*m. Rather I will now be the homeless guy you will walk by, showing no concern for.

So I will remain on UEB, and take my time finding employment. However long it takes me, so be it. So long as I pay my rent, my bills, and food should be a positive thing that you home owners, and businesses should be happy to see.

July 2, 2009 at 12:34 am

JUSTMYOPINION

As for your remark about your neighbor. Your neighbor under Federal and State ADA laws is entitled to work while disabled. They also qualify for SSI and SSDI because they are legally disabled. The government also allows them to collect UEB if they qualify. What you also dont know, is that the SSA has mandated rules for a working disabled in which the beneficiate must follow. Such as, they may not earn over $900 a month in gross income. Any monies earned over the allowed amount, will be deducted from their Govt benefits. Mind you that $900 a month minus taxes is not much at all. That means that they are working for minimum wage at less than part time hours. Also their benefits are affected if they work longer than a year.

If they neglect to report their earnings, thats ok. The SSA has direct connection with the IRS and are able to retain a copy of reported work earnings. Than and there the SSA will begin collecting on over payment and even revoke benefits if the beneficiant is found to still be working and earning more than the allowed amt.

So please do not knock on your neighbors or the disabled for there is no comparison to those of you whom are typical joes and janes, who deliberately refuse to pay your taxes or even work. At least your neighbor sacrificed a little bit of their time to work.

One other note. For those seeking to attend school. You can not attend classes in a manner that would prevent you from seeking full time employment. However, FT employment these days, is about 35 hours a week. So as long as you schedule your classes appropriately, youre fine.

Extensions. First and second extensions are automatic so long as your benefit amt is at $0 balance. The new UI benefits are a bit trickier according to the UE office rep I spoke with in Anaheim. The qualifications for UI entail so much more complexity. However, dont be discouraged. Remain on top of things. The very day you receive your last UE check, immediately e-mail a request to know what your chance is for UI benefits or visit a one-stop center and utilize the phones there to call up on this inquiry.

gary says:

July 2, 2009 at 8:27 am

i to am unemployed . it isn't pleasant .i'm in construction and there is no construction happening anywhere .if you need any air conditioning work please e-mail me . garybsheldon@hotmail.com . thank you .
p.s. i do report any earnings to edd .

deedee says:

July 3, 2009 at 12:15 am

Wow, I'm glad my checks are gonna still be coming. I have a nasty heroin habit to support. And I'm running low on beer and cigarettes.

Gregg James says:

July 8, 2009 at 9:30 am

Get a National Career Readiness Certificate.

ACT has an assessment program called WorkKeys, it is offered locally through the Rancho Santiago Community College District's
Workplace Learning Resource Center.

It costs about $100.00 for three assessments but well worth it.

Orange County Register

Unemployment checks still going out

July 1st, 2009, 11:30 am · 50 Comments · posted by Mary Ann Milbourn

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