Takin' it up the butt from the state

Ok, I fear there is a long rant coming so you've been warned. So, I'm unemployed and trying to run a business (not making a dime yet). I'm on unemployment right now and getting what is commonly referred to as food stamps (it's a debit card that's refilled once a month).
So, Back when I was laid off the first time (permanent lay-off, it's the only way the execs could afford to keep driving expensive euro cars and jet-setting all over the world) I was denied unemployment. I won't get into that story right now as it's a long one. Anyway I went through the appeal processes and finally had my day in (unemployment) court. They ruled with ME. I was stunned. They only awarded me less than 1/2 of what I had coming but I was so stunned to get anything I skipped out of there giggling. About 7 months later I get a letter from the UIA (Unemployment Insurance Admin) telling me they don't agree with their ruling and will be taking money out of my unemployment benefits untill the balance is paid in full.
I did have one hope. I could file for a waiver for broke folks that can't afford to pay it back. Sweet. While reading the fine print I see that the waiver is only good for the balance due at the time of the waiver determination, nothing will be paid back. Then I see that there is a 8 week period before your case is even considered. Guess how many insallments they are going to take out.....wait for it......8 weeks! So, they give you an out and tell you the out won't work. So, I bend over, apply the KY and take it!
Fast forward a few months. Last week I get home from helping my mom and there is a letter in the mailbox from the gubment. Seems they made another error, this time in the food allowance. They feel they overpaid us to the tune of $2100 and expect that back. My wife went to the hearing this morning and they admitted it is 101% NOT OUR FAULT. Then they went on to show us where it says they are not responsible for anything they do. They made a mistake, now we pay for it. We will be getting 20% less food assistance from here on out to repay this. I suppose it doesn't matter than what we were getting was JUST enough as it is.
My wife does an incredible job of saving money by clipping cupons and the like. On her last shopping trip she saved 42% off our bill. Even at that we have just enough to feed our kids and us. Typically we run out of money with less than a week to go.

Not expecting answers, just venting. Thanks.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

That sucks. What I don't understand is how after you've gone through the unemployment administrative appeals process the losing side (the gov't) can just say, we don't agree with the determination so we're not going to abide by it. I really think you've got a good complaint there. I'd look for a legal aid attorney who can help you with this issue.

On the overpayment issue, yep that absolutely sucks, they screw up and expect you to just pay them back, but they win 100% of the time there. The gov't protects itself from its own employee's idiocy very well.

seems weird that they can just go against all of the rules here, maybe contact the local "7 on your side" investigative journalist and see if they're interested in contacting on your behalf and mentioning that this kind of shenanigans makes for a good story that gets people mad at "the man"

definatly try and find somebody on your side. Has to be some lawyer or social help that can help you fight the government for cheap or nothing.

Especially the bit about you winning the fight for your benefits.. and then them saying, "you won, but we don't agree.. give us our money back"

say......didn't you meet with a certain someone yesterday?

Jenny on the Block!
Was that yesterday?

Sounds like you live in the wrong state!

DrBoost wrote: rant

Sounds like my 7 year old son's SSI benefits. A couple years after filing hundreds of pages of paperwork twice because the state lost the first set, they decided he had been overpaid by several thousand dollars. Even though they set the payment amounts. Whatever. The real mindberkeley that I can't understand is that they raised his payments, only so they could take more away as repayment.

Oh, how I'd love to work in government.

jrw1621 wrote: Jenny on the Block! Was that yesterday?

Yeah that was yesterday (thanks for remembering, and to you GRTechguy).
I knew going in I wouldn't have the opportunity for any personal agenda. But that aside, it was an experience. Kinda felt all important and everything. Show up at the guard room, show my I.D. and hear them so, "Oh, the debriefing with the Governor Is on the third floor, follow the signs. She'll be here shortlly." I ALMOST said, "yeah, tell her not to keep me waiting, last time that happened things got difficult enough for her" but I didn't ask my wife if I could use my balls yesterday.
I got some media exposure and was actually asked a question by the Governor in front of media and all., it was pretty cool. The organizers said we should be expecting media calls in the next week or so.

All that aside, thanks for your thoughs, encouragement and suggestions folks. Talking about being on government assistance is tough, I feel like less a man but I know I won't be judged here.

Something isn't adding up right, namely about the court ruling. If it's as you describe, you've got a very strong case and should talk to an attorney.

Right now, unemployment is weird. Maybe it's only Florida, I don't know. About a year ago, wifey lost her job, applied for and recieved benefits. Then she developed cataracts, and is blind in one eye, barely sees with the other. Her unemployment runs out, so she helps me full time. Then a new program starts for those that lost coverage. She got a lump sum payment that is enough to get one of her eyes cut. Made no sense, but no complaints from me.

I went through all that for years Doc. My father is 100% disabled from the military (two artificial hips, and coilitus will do that) since 1972. Everytime there was an a change in administration, they would cut our benefits. It would take months and months and months of letters, calls, meetings, and medicals to get them back.

I can remember in 1980 when we went 10 months without any money at all.. we sold everything BUT the house... including my father cherished 1968 Opel Kadett Rallye that he brought over from spain before they retired him out

Certainly no judging from here.
Hopefully all we can provide is some honest feedback, some shared experience and some comedic and mental relief.

Work it just like a politician and see if you can pull some positive results off the encounter. They mentioned media inquiries. Can you get a copy of the press release? You may be able to use this to personally get some exposure. Contact your local paper (the smaller ones) and remind them that there was a story about a local guy. If you have moved, call the small paper where you were born or past addresses and spin the same thing but instead this time with the angle of "local boy grows up and does good."

Heck, contact morning radio and see if they can find an angle. They like both stories of gov't screw up (if that is what it is) as well as stories of local guy beating the odds. A real press release will help to validate your story as news.

Good thing you're in Mi. and not NY. Running a business while collecting unemployment here is considered fraud and they would nail you to the wall. Doesn't matter if you're making anything or not. In fact, it's one of the questions they ask each time you certify for benefits each week.

minimac wrote: Good thing you're in Mi. and not NY. Running a business while collecting unemployment here is considered fraud and they would nail you to the wall. Doesn't matter if you're making anything or not. In fact, it's one of the questions they ask each time you certify for benefits each week.

Same here. In Colorado and Ohio