If you have been dismissed for reasons outside of your own control, you may be entitled to unemployment benefits. Naturally, your former employer will probably try to drag his or her heels over the situation, since a successful unemployment benefits claim against them will increase the unemployment insurance they will have to pay for the rest of their employees. This means that you may have to fight your previous employer in order to receive your benefits.
Normally, if you've been fired for misconduct, you are unable to receive unemployment benefits. If you were fired for drug or alcohol use, theft, failing to show up at work, or violating a written company policy, you may be unable to collect unemployment benefits. The usual rule of thumb for determining if you were fired with undue cause is if you were fired through no fault of your own. If you believe that you were fit this standard, then you may be entitled to unemployment benefits.
The first step is to apply for the an unemployment insurance benefits claim, usually by applying for them in person, placing a phone call or filling out an online survey. You will have to answer questions about your employment history and the circumstances surrounding your termination. After you have filled this out, your former employer will also be contacted and asked to tell his or her side of the story. Many employers will try to avoid being culpable for unemployment benefits, so it may be your word against theirs. They can be expected to protest your claim.
If they do try to deny your claim, you may want to go to the unemployment office in person for an interview. You will probably talk to someone in an official capacity about your firing, and you'll be able to explain in person your side of the events. You will be able to respond to any claims made against you by your erstwhile employer. The official will make a decision based on the information. However, either side may appeal this decision.
In an appeal, both sides are able to present an additional response to the unemployment office, usually with a 30 day window. The final decision will be made in court by a qualified judge. This process is very similar to a trial, and you may want to consider hiring an employment attorney to represent you.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
America's Stories 2009 - The Courageous People Facing Unemployment and Homelessness
Unemployment is the highest it's been in three decades. The housing mortgage fiasco has contributed to the dramatic growth of homelessness. Tent cities across the United States are growing and are populated not only by the chronically homeless but also with educated and middle class citizens who have lost their jobs and/or lost their homes.
The number of homeless veterans is growing, too, with 200,000 currently "on the streets." As the incidence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is growing in recognition, treatment is not keeping up with the need. When these walking wounded return home from Iraq and Afghanistan, the stigma associated with PTSD as well as the lack of compassionate and therapeutic care abandons them to find their own way down a hopeless street. Many commit suicide. Others join the chronically homeless.
Reminiscent of the Great Depression and the era following the Vietnam War, the stories of America's middle and working class and its returning veterans are resurfacing as exercises in frustration and defeat although the heart of America still beats with hope.
Like John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath and Travels with Charlie, and more recently like the stories of Charles Kerault, there are stories to be told about the American people who are daily struggling to live and re-establish their dreams. They are important stories to be told, not only to re-ignite compassion and understanding but, like post 911, to inspire America's heart as a nation to work together in assuring a quick recovery to a state of greater strength, mutual support and decreased greed.
Books about the general concept of homelessness have been written such as the three-volume Homelessness in America, by Robert Hartmann McNamara, published in 2008. However, to my knowledge, no books have yet been published focusing on individual stories, especially from 2009. The dramatic increase in homelessness as a result of the economic recession is still too new.
You-Tube holds a great number of videos about tent cities and the subject of homelessness but does not chronicle the depth of each individual story. Print articles may appear in local papers, however only the result of homelessness is typically covered rather than the individual stories. When written with a constructive objective rather than simply reporting, these stories could help rebuild lives.
With regard to homeless veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes the issue but cannot keep up with the influx. According to National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson, "We saw thousands of Vietnam veterans who ultimately became homeless, and we may be facing a new national crisis with the veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan." In 2006, one in four homeless were veterans. That number has climbed.
As the trend in increased unemployment and homelessness lags the projected economic recovery, there are many stories to be discovered and told in 2009. As this trend continues, the number of people who know or who have a degree of connection to the issue is dramatically increasing.
The current coverage of the issue of homelessness in connection with the economy takes national attention. Good Morning America has it AmeriCAN series to highlight people who are taking action to help others. Each day, snippets of stories are seen in the media. However, few are in depth.
The publication and distribution of a series of books can take an important step. It can record, in greater depth, these unseen and unheard stories of individuals who have experienced the worst and who survive. It can provide a written history giving their plight a sense of purpose by calling the nation together to help one another. In the end, hopefully, it will provide future generations inspiration and pride in their heritage rather than shame.
As a source of inspiration for future generations as well as a sobering history to ground the nation's leaders in the reality experienced daily by the people, this book series is important. These stories can generate a timeless image of our nation by having not only the heart but also the courage to take action by finding and telling these stories.
There is a need for the nation to unite in a national movement to Employ The Unemployed. With the American people addressing the issue of unemployment head on, without waiting for legislation and political process, the economy will immediately improve
The number of homeless veterans is growing, too, with 200,000 currently "on the streets." As the incidence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is growing in recognition, treatment is not keeping up with the need. When these walking wounded return home from Iraq and Afghanistan, the stigma associated with PTSD as well as the lack of compassionate and therapeutic care abandons them to find their own way down a hopeless street. Many commit suicide. Others join the chronically homeless.
Reminiscent of the Great Depression and the era following the Vietnam War, the stories of America's middle and working class and its returning veterans are resurfacing as exercises in frustration and defeat although the heart of America still beats with hope.
Like John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath and Travels with Charlie, and more recently like the stories of Charles Kerault, there are stories to be told about the American people who are daily struggling to live and re-establish their dreams. They are important stories to be told, not only to re-ignite compassion and understanding but, like post 911, to inspire America's heart as a nation to work together in assuring a quick recovery to a state of greater strength, mutual support and decreased greed.
Books about the general concept of homelessness have been written such as the three-volume Homelessness in America, by Robert Hartmann McNamara, published in 2008. However, to my knowledge, no books have yet been published focusing on individual stories, especially from 2009. The dramatic increase in homelessness as a result of the economic recession is still too new.
You-Tube holds a great number of videos about tent cities and the subject of homelessness but does not chronicle the depth of each individual story. Print articles may appear in local papers, however only the result of homelessness is typically covered rather than the individual stories. When written with a constructive objective rather than simply reporting, these stories could help rebuild lives.
With regard to homeless veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes the issue but cannot keep up with the influx. According to National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson, "We saw thousands of Vietnam veterans who ultimately became homeless, and we may be facing a new national crisis with the veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan." In 2006, one in four homeless were veterans. That number has climbed.
As the trend in increased unemployment and homelessness lags the projected economic recovery, there are many stories to be discovered and told in 2009. As this trend continues, the number of people who know or who have a degree of connection to the issue is dramatically increasing.
The current coverage of the issue of homelessness in connection with the economy takes national attention. Good Morning America has it AmeriCAN series to highlight people who are taking action to help others. Each day, snippets of stories are seen in the media. However, few are in depth.
The publication and distribution of a series of books can take an important step. It can record, in greater depth, these unseen and unheard stories of individuals who have experienced the worst and who survive. It can provide a written history giving their plight a sense of purpose by calling the nation together to help one another. In the end, hopefully, it will provide future generations inspiration and pride in their heritage rather than shame.
As a source of inspiration for future generations as well as a sobering history to ground the nation's leaders in the reality experienced daily by the people, this book series is important. These stories can generate a timeless image of our nation by having not only the heart but also the courage to take action by finding and telling these stories.
There is a need for the nation to unite in a national movement to Employ The Unemployed. With the American people addressing the issue of unemployment head on, without waiting for legislation and political process, the economy will immediately improve
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)