New York State department of labor Unemployment Insurance division has been giving me the run around and I am in jeopardy of losing my gas, electric and water services as a result of it. I also do not have the funds needed for food, gas for job interviews or anything else!
I was scheduled for a Rochester Works appointment on November 21st and the notice was sent to my mailing address of whom the mailbox owners (not a post office box) were having administritive issues which caused my mail to not be put in my box in time to receive the notice.
When they suspended my benefits the way I found out was by calling the tel claim center to find out why the release of my benefits had not been authorized and they told my about me missing my report date and to report to a local office asap and that this office would authorize the release of my benefits. I did and changed my address to my home address and explained to the women at the front desk what had happened with my mailbox and she told me that she would mail me a new appointment date and that she just authorized the release of my benefits. I left and call the claims center again and was told by a gentlemen that I would likely have the week I would claim on December 3rd before the suspended benefits arrived due to the 7-10 business days it would take before release that particular money. That was not true. When I went to my rescheduled appointment on December 12 I asked my labor services representative Mary Lynne Turner about the delay and when she looked on-line she said she could not see what was holding up my benefits but would call The special programs unit and allow me to speak with a representative and she did.
The women on the line instructed me to fill out a form that Mary Lynne gave me as instructed by the women on the phone and that form allowed me to explain why I missed the original appointment. I filled it out and faxed it from the Rochester works office and the form read verbatim 'If you wish to receive back credit for the benefits that were suspended, complete this questionnaire and return it immediately by fax to 1-518-457-9492. A determination regarding your eligibility for benefits during the suspension will be made within 7-10 business days after we receive your reply.
Okay, here is where I am getting shafted: from November 29 the day I reported to the Waring Rd local office to December 13 (today) has been 10 business days but why didn't the women at the desk give me the same form that day? Then when I did fill out the form and fax it yesterday why would I have to wait 10 more business days for a total of 20 business days or actually 4 weeks because of their incompetence? I promised the utility company I would make a payment by the Dec. 16 and they gave me a shut-off date of 12/12 yet I have received nothing from NYSDOL and when I called the tel claims center they said it was a local office issue and of course I could not reach anyone at the local office. Why didn't they just tell me that nothing would be released at all even the benefits that were claimed after the suspension instead of leading me to believe per their paperwork and phone dialogue that it was the "suspended" benefits that I was waiting for a determination on and that it would also delay all of my benefits until such time a determination had been made?
The NYSDOL Unemployment Insurance handbook does not support the way this process is unfolding and though I have talked to at least 6 different employees I have heard 5 different things from them while this "no benefits" period is causing me major problems!
Since I did not get a form on 11/29 when I reported in person and because of the fact that the 10 business day period has came and went as of today, I am preparing to file a lawsuit against The NYSDOL special programs unit for any extra expenses, shut offs or termination of any services due to their cryptic, arbitrary and dare I say sadistic way of handling this matter. I am sure I represent many people that have been demoralized by this unit! It is time to take action and it starts with contacting Governor Andrew Cuomo!
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