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Unemployment Claims Crash State Web Sites

1sockchuck writes "A sign of the times: a surge in filings for unemployment benefits has crashed online application systems in four states this week. Web sites in Ohio, New York, Kentucky and North Carolina have been knocked offline by unusually high volumes of jobless claims. Phone applications systems appearing to be faring even worse in many states. The thin silver lining: states are hiring workers for phone banks and buying new servers to prop up their web sites."

2 of 233 comments (clear)

  1. Re:HUH?? by cayenne8 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Actually...I've got sour grapes on this one.

    I found out that my state (LA) royally fucks you out of UI, if you are self employed.

    Yep, they actually have a statute written that says, if you are the primary shareholder of a company, you cannot claim UI. This just isn't fair.

    I was recently between contracts for a few months. First time for this....so, I file for UI. Now, I have and S corp. I pay myself a salary out of what I bill. Out of that salary, I pay SS, I pay medicare...and I pay Federal and STATE unemployment fees.

    Yet, when I went to collect them...I could not in the state of LA. That isn't fair? I pay into the system, but, I cannot take out when I need to?

    I know this isn't that way in all states...I know people with the same set up, that collected UI just fine.

    I called....I went in person...I appealed this to the highest set of judges..but, to no avail.

    I swear, if I had enough time and money (I'm working again, but that kills the time aspect)...I'd try to get a lawyer and get that law overturned on principal alone. If I pay into a system..I should be able to get out of it.

    So anyway...I've got a bad taste for UI complaints....

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
  2. Re:HUH?? by 0100010001010011 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    According to this website.
    CPI in 2008 is 211.08, in 1982 was 94.3.

    My parents currently make $42k. I currently make $78k. Assuming their jobs were adjusted for inflation they only made quite a bit less when I was born.

    I'm socking away money left and right while kids that I went to college with go out and buy big TVs and new cars. My house is set at 45 degrees. I've shut off my hot water heater and shower at the gym (Which costs me less than what running the heater would cost, plus I work out there too). My car is 12 years old and has 220k on it (but still runs fine). Growing up my dad would get 1-2 years out of a $500 car and get another one. I buy almost everything second hand, including clothes.

    I do have some 'nice' things like the internet and my MacBook Pro and a house a bit nicer than my parents. But it's frustrating to no end to drive past the subsidized housing on the way to work and see nicer cars than me. People crossing the street on iPhones and wearing brand new clothes. People that bitch they have no money but have plenty of money for 2 packs a day. Some people need to be taught the difference between Want and Need.

    And my company has never had an engineering layoff in the entire 85+ year history of the company. I think I'm doing pretty good.