Question:
I have been laid off, furlough from my job for a little while now. Not sure when they will let us go back to work. But I have a issue this week concerning my claim I called in. I haven't had any problems til now. They said there was a issue on my benefits now. I finally got to talk to a lady at the vec office and she pulled me up and said, they had been notified that I had quit my job, and something about been under FMLA. Well for one, I was under FMLA medical awhile back for a little while way before we was getting laid off, and I have not said or mentioned anything about quitting my job, or would even want to!. My supervisor, my human resources most of them knew I was out medical, and my doctor then released me to go back to work and I get a call from my HR Dept, that I'm furloughed and laid off, the whole factory was. Due to this virus and lack of work. Now I have gotten my pay this week and don't know when I'll get it. I don't know how to handle this. I haven't done nothing wrong. I guess someone assumed or thought what they wanted about me not working. My HR from main office I told her the situation and she said I didn't no anything about you quitting. She knows I've been laid off now for a while. She talked to someone at the unemployment representative and they said for her to send them a letter about this me still being employed and all that, but now due to this mess. I don't get my benefits and I have to wait for I don't know how long to get any money. While vec does there decision and paper work on this, that shouldn't even happened in the first place!!!. I just need advice on this
Jim's Reply:
I'm not sure what advice you're looking for? Because of the corona virus pandemic, many unemployment or other financial help systems are overburdened and broken and people aren't getting the benefits they're due.
The only thing I can think of to tell you is that like tens of thousands of others, you have to be persistent in claiming the benefits due to you until those benefits are properly delivered.
- PS from StatesideLegal: Use the "Find Legal Help" directory and call the "LSC provider" in your area and explain the situation to them. Many programs are advising people in similar situations on how to proceed.