Thursday, April 9, 2009

"I want to be sedated"

It is official. I have been denied Unemployment Compensation because I am attending school and according to the mediator who heard my appeal case, "unwilling to quit school to accept any job".

I just want to say that I will never again ask the State of Ohio, or any level of government for help.

I have worked hard since I was thirteen. I have always paid my taxes and been a good citizen. I have always done what is right and tried my best. The one time I swallow my pride and reach out for help and I get put through the ringer. Nice show State, nice show.

Four and a half months of fighting and appealing...down the drain.

FUCK!

I am not in a good mood right now. I think I am going to find some city workers and.....

11 comments:

Jessica said...

That is just wrong! I cannot believe that for you to try and better yourself (which means bettering your family also) you would have to quit school! That's absurd!

Lynda said...

I was thinking of going back to school, but after hearing the bullshit you and pixie are going through, I am not so sure it's a good idea. One of the questions when I file - Has there been a change in your school or work status?

And what is the bullshit with you not willing to quit your job? Is that something they say as an excuse not to pay you? Because I don't see why you can't go to school while you are looking for work.

JQ said...

Jessica-Word!

Lynda- Yeah, isn't that nice? Since I won't quit school to get a 9-5 job I can't get help.

Naynayfazz said...

I don't really understand what is going on here. When do you go to school? Do you go full-time? Does it actually interfere with working? Most people I know go to school AND work full-time. What seems to be their issue with you going to school? Isn't the bigger issue here that you cannot find a job? They do realize that we are in a recession and your state has a high unemployment rate, right? It doesn't make sense that they would deny you just to go to school.

Naynayfazz said...

Also, ya know what annoys me? A girl I know QUIT her job voluntarily last year (long story) and applied for unemployment on the grounds that her boss was harassing her. She was denied unemployment benefits and she appealed and they approved her. Well, a year later she is STILL on unemployment and honestly, I think she is milking it and not looking for work. I could be wrong but I don't see her making any real effort and taking whatever job she can to help support her family. Now, you on the other hand, needs it and you were denied. How is this fair? I know we are in NJ and you are in another state but the situations are the similar.

JQ said...

Dutchy- I know...

Nobody- Just further proof that government is not reliable.

Naynay- I go to school the only time they offer the music classes I need, which happen to be 9-11am Monday through Friday and 3- 5:30 on Mondays and Wednesdays. That isn't even full time, it's ten credit hours. Other than that I am totally open and free to work. I told my mediator that. I also said that I will not stop going to school because I wanted a career and not some menial job forever. I told him I was willing to do both and that just because I could not work 9-5 everyday that didn't mean I couldn't work. Apparently they don't wanna help people advance, just stay stupid and poor.

Naynayfazz said...

It's just one more way for them to control you, I guess. That's pretty messed up.

Anonymous said...

It's admirable you want an education in music, but I'm thinking the mediators would be more understanding if you were taking something like nursing classes, or accounting classes, or, you know, something with a better chance of getting a good paying job. Unless you want to be a music teacher, which will require typically more education than a BA, you might just be living in a fantasy world. I can see why they turned you down.

JQ said...

Anonymous- First off, it is music education and you have to start with a BA before you get your masters... just how these things work.
Second, It shouldn't matter what I am taking, I was working and going to school when I got laid off, ergo I should receive benefits. I am not some pariah looking to leech of the system. I am an honest hardworking man who is finally going to school to pursue what I want to do with my life. Not some crap I have to do. I don't care if my career is well paying or not. As long as I can support my family, it shouldn't matter. I should waste my life away working some job I can't stand until I die with little to show for all my hard work and hating to drag myself to the time clock everyday, is that how I should live? Just so I can have what you refer to as a good paying job? Why am I asking you? you don't even have the balls to sign your name to your comment.
Third, you don't even have the balls to sign your name to your comment. If I am living in a fantasy world, than I am imagining myself sticking my foot up your ass. I don't like when people hide behind anonymity, grow a pair and then when you have some danglers come back and talk to me.

Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} said...

JQ—The word "danglers" makes me smile.

Anonymous—Perhaps you should know a bit of the back story of our situation before you make assumptions and judgements. When you don't you just end up sounding like an ass.

If your intention wasn't to be an ass then perhaps you could have a little more tact in your delivery. "…or, you know, something with a better chance of getting a good paying job." It's not always about the money, and in this case, it's about the principle of the matter. JQ has one of the best work ethics of any American out there. Now that we are in a position (through no fault of our own) to need the help of a government program we've paid into for decades, they refuse because of schooling. It's ridiculous. It is especially ridiculous because there is a specific provision in the handbook that states an applicant cannot be denied compensation because they are attending school.

Anonymous said...

JQ - I am flabergasted by the audacity of our system. If anyone deserved a little assistance, it would be you and your family. But no, the government will only help if you can be totally dependent upon them. You are not allowed, in their eyes, to do anything to better your quality of life. Simple be a droning worker bee. I admire you determination to rise above just making a living. You want a fulfilled life. I also couldn't agree more that money is not the main objective. A job you love is priceless. I believe that eventually, you will reap huge rewards in exchange for your perseverance. I love and respect you.

Your big sister,
ac(W)p