Tips for Dealing with Unemployment and the COVID-19 Outbreak

Hello everyone, I hope you are all staying safe during this crazy, scary, and confusing pandemic. Most of us have never experienced anything like this before, and because of that there is a lot of confusion as far as how to handle every day life now that there are so many people who are out of work, and because so many people are out of work one of the most frustrating issues financially for most people right now is getting their unemployment. I am one of those people, I've logged thousands of calls and emails trying to get my issues with unemployment resolved, and that got me thinking. How many other people are looking for solutions to issues they're having with their unemployment? Turns out there are about 30 million Americans currently out of work due to COVID-19. Seeing that number made me feel terribly for others in my situation, waiting for unemployment to resolve their issues if they checked the wrong box on their initial application, if they put a comma in the wrong place, who knows. Something happened that delayed you from getting your unemployment, so I thought I would share a few of the different methods I tried that got me the best results for getting someone to help you with your unemployment. I know I can't be the only one that feels like they're screaming into the void with every "due to the high volume of calls waiting, we can't take your call at this time".

So far the best method that I have found is email. I went onto social media (Facebook groups, Twitter, etc.) and looked for different people to contact for my state, finding success emailing NJ senators, and other local politicians who contacted unemployment on my behalf. It stills takes time, unemployment employees are getting slammed with more claims then they've ever seen in their careers and believe me I understand the frustration with getting no results, which is why going the route of emailing made the most sense to me. I had records, dates, and times that I sent all of my information as well as copies of the emails themselves. Social media is a powerful tool for finding contact information of people who may be able to help you with your unemployment benefits depending on your state, check Facebook groups for unemployment agents emails, senators, anyone you think may be able to help you with your claim. Just don't include anything like your social security number on your initial email, you never know who could be trying to get your information. Make sure you check the sources you find to make sure they are safe. You don't want your personal information ending up somewhere it shouldn't be.

Get together with a few other people who are willing to help you call your local unemployment offices. The best times to call are from 8am to 10:30am (for NJ at least), and with more people calling at the same time you all have a better chance to get the help you need if one of you gets through. You can each try a different phone number (there are A LOT of different ones for you to call to try and get an agent) and try your luck. I did not have a lot of luck in this department even with several members of my family and I calling at the same time, though I did have several friends who had success this way with their own claims.

I hope you have some success in reaching someone to help with your unemployment claims, it's stressful and frustrating waiting for your money when you aren't sure when it's going to come, and you are not alone in that! These times are uncertain and we are all struggling to come to terms with this new reality we have been thrown into, but we all of us can only do the best we can and nothing more than that. It's easy to be angry with the DOL for taking time to process our claims but we have to remember this is all new for them too, I'm sure they would love to just give us our money so they could find some peace to process what is happening in the world around them as well. We are all struggling together, and we will all get through this together. Below I will list some contact information for food banks, and other resources you may need while you are waiting for your money to come in. Please stay safe, and remember nothing lasts forever, we will go back to a way of life we can be comfortable with again no matter how long it takes.

Feeding America- www.feedingamerica.org - a food bank that has locations across the country, click on find a food bank to locate one near you

Food Bank Network Of Somerset- Specifically for New Jersey residences this food bank is located at 9 Easy St, Bound Brook, NJ 08805; their phone number is (732) 560-1813, and their website is http://somersetfoodbank.org/ .

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline-

1-800-273-8255

These times are incredibly difficult for people who suffer with their mental health, if you or someone you love needs help never be afraid to call this number, or someone you are comfortable talking to about your problems. You are loved and you can make it through this.

The National Domestic Abuse Hotline-

1−800−799−7233

If you are stuck in quarantine with someone who is abusing you please know you have options, contact this number for help in your situation or if you know someone who may need help.

Also please note a lot of doctor's are telecommunicating during this crisis, if you feel more comfortable talking with someone you know schedule a tele appointment with your primary care physician or your regular therapist if you need help addressing your mental health concerns.

Stay safe everyone!