Unemployment Insurance Issues

[redheaded moppet]

I was laid off last June (2010) from the teaching position that primarily caused me to develop PTSD. At that time I was eligible for unemployment, and I had filed and received for 2 weeks before being hired elsewhere. After searching for a new job all last spring/summer, I finally got one job offer which I took, and worked at for 9 weeks before I began having symptoms (flashbacks, anger, shutting down emotionally) and I abruptly resigned in mid-November. I began counseling on my own at that point.

Now, after jobhunting again for the last several months, having some recent interviews but still no job offers, my T encouraged me to see if I might still be able to get the UI benefits I was eligible for previously but didn't use because of current financial issues. He is willing to write a letter explaining everything that's gone on to support my claim. I reactivated my file last week, and now I have been informed they are questioning my resignation, whether or not I am eligible now because of that, and I'm scheduled to do a phone interview in about 2 weeks regarding this with the UI people and possibly my former employer where I resigned to make a determination.

I'm a bit concerned about this and what may happen here though I have nothing to hide, have already informed them of everything when I reapplied, but because I resigned due to the stress/symptoms without anything being documented it's obviously going to be questioned now, and that worries me. Though my T will support me here, and has told me he will write the letter explaining everything and giving his opinion/diagnosis, because he's not a physician I'm sure they will raise this in deciding the issue. Suggestions or advice on how to prepare for this would be helpful thanks.

 

[Srain]

Hi Redheaded Moppet,

Welcome, I understand your concern. I wonder if you have had a chance to see a psyche doc who's background is in ptsd (I'm not suggesting by ANY MEANS take the meds!!) for a consultation. Do the research or get a reference from your tdoc. Do you have a background of therapy for depression or Migraines, anything like that??? That can all be attributed to PTSD. The more documentation the better, otherwise it just looks like you couldn't find a job. Excuse me for my bluntness.

I hope this helps, it's in the morning here.

peace,
Rain

 

[redheaded moppet]

Hi Rain,

No, I've not seen a psych at all - my T suggested it about a week ago for documentation purposes here for this, but at the same time he and I were/are both still hoping something comes through here jobwise soon. He only casually mentioned it - didn't give me any specific names of anyone to go to here. He has also told me he feels I am able to work (which I agree with) but that I need to continue counseling for a while longer, especially if I ended up back in a classroom this fall.

I understand what you're saying about it looking like I maybe just couldn't find a job here - that's my concern too - and clearly none of this is a good situation to be in at all. I hate it, am tired of pushing so hard to get well and over everything I've gone through emotionally here, going to interviews where they like my resume, experience, and background, and then POOF! the job either goes to someone else or I never hear anything when I follow up. :unsure::confused::tdown:

I don't like possibly having the "label" stuck to me here now about PTSD or a similar emotional problem put on paper here in all this; I've been looking for a job since January and all this began in mid/late November. My T knows I've been trying really hard to get back on my feet and working as well as working in counseling with him, but so far nothing has come through - and of course looking like I've not worked for a year doesn't help at all.

 

[missd84]

Hang in there! I'm in a similar situation and understand how difficult it is!

 

[catjudo]

I don't mean to sound difficult but I don't see how you would qualify for unemployment compensation. Generally if you resign from your position you don't qualify. I understand why you resigned, but still it would make you ineligible for unemployment.

Maybe I'm missing something or just not understanding.

 

[redheaded moppet]

Yes, I know what you're saying and you're right - that is the normal procedure. The possible issue here is that I was eligible last summer and didn't use what I was entitled to; accepted a job when offered as per their requirements; began working in that job and during that the PTSD emerged which I wasn't aware of having it until everything blew up. I may not be eligible now for the benefits I was last summer - and I kick myself for not having applied sooner for them then, but the past is done in terms of that.

Basically it's that by doing the "right" thing here and unknowingly accepting a job which helped create the final triggers in the whole situation and emotionally breaking at that point - otherwise I wouldn't have resigned. Not much else to say here - I can't change what's happened; only hope it would be understood for what it truly is/was.

 

[catjudo]

I hope I don't sound mean here, but don't hold your breath on the government understanding the situation for what it truly was. As far as the government is concerned, rules are rules and I honestly don't see you winning this one.

 

[redheaded moppet]

Yes catjudo, you're probably right that will be the likely outcome of trying here. However, I don't have lots of options until or unless I get another job, so I have to try even if it's farfetched and unlikely.

Anyhow, I managed to get through writing everything on paper to document things with my T Monday and then earlier today with the doctor he suggested I see so he could fill out one of the required forms. I hate this - doing the letters then and paperwork today at the doctor's office has brought back painful memories - I ended up crying in his office when I had to talk about the day I abruptly left and what had been the final triggers, and then when I got home ended up crying more for no reason otherwise. So much for thinking I was more past how painful memories from all this are - didn't expect things to still be so raw after 8 months of counseling. I WANT MY "NORMAL BEFORE" LIFE BACK!!! :mad::confused::cry:

I'm tired of going on interviews that seemingly go well, then not getting anywhere beyond that like I have since April; tired of the "polite turndowns" if I even hear anything afterward... tired of trying to get SOME part of my life more stable again so I can keep healing. I wish I could scream - I don't know exactly what to think or feel here! I'm tired of fighting, hanging on, working so hard since late November to heal - I have some, but WHEN is this going to stop snowballing and feeling out of control???

My T is going on vacation next week and my best friend who knows all about this isn't available either - getting ready to deploy overseas. I need to think of something to do to help get over how I feel here... right now just tired and trying to not get more upset.

 

[Srain]

I'm sorry you are feeling so tired and frustrated. Does your tdoc have someone on call that you can talk to while they are gone? Most have that so you aren't left hanging.

 

[redheaded moppet]

I think he does - I will find out later today when I see him this afternoon. I had a long talk yesterday with another friend which helped some also - he quickly picked up on the fact I'm worn out from things right now - primarily with the jobsearching. If something doesn't happen here in about the next 2 weeks with that it's time to begin putting plan B in action basically.

I hope things get better with you too - sounds like you're dealing with an awful lot from your last appointment. Hang in there and do what you need to take care of yourself - you will get through it! :tup:

 

[redheaded moppet]

Well, amazingly the unemployment so far has been decided in my favor, but the school district I left last fall has unti 9/3 to file an appeal of the decision. In the meantime I have discovered that 2 former supervisors are now refusing to give me ANY job references at all, which will effectively keep me from getting any other teaching position (and possibly any job) and it has already cost me one possible job where the district was interested - and will likely cost me the definite offer I currently have as of Wednesday. I've already raised concerns about this to the district HR office but no response yet - and I doubt I will get one. Not sure what else to do here to resolve this - but clearly they know what they are doing will help prevent me from getting another job.

Getting the job offer last Wednesday was a complete shock and it has left me numb, really upset/crying earlier this week when I saw the T to tell him, and feeling like I am risking going backwards if I take it and it works out because school was my trauma trigger. Plus I would have to move, get everything ready in the new school, and be completely prepared to begin teaching on the 29th LOL - even though the new place is only 4 hours away, this is way too sudden, and I am concerned/somewhat scared of it all which until all this wouldn't have fazed me like it is doing now.

I'm feeling like I'm somewhat cornered here with all this (a repeat scenario of last summer in getting ONE job offer then taking it because of unemployment requirements once offered a job), and having everything blow up soon afterward. I don't know which I would prefer more LOL - that it works out or it doesn't - leaning more toward that it won't and I can get more time to heal and continue with my plans of returning to school in January to get into something different. What I'm noticing more about how I feel is that there's a sense of trepidation/dread/ major concern about the idea of going into the same basic environment that began all this in the first place... and I am worried but trying to be positive here also and not think the worst or project the past into the future here.