Whew - As I write this I am exhausted. Exhausted from phone calls; I leave messages that are never returned, I wait on hold for up to 15 minutes only to be hung up on by the overloaded automated system, I race my speed dial against busy signals.
You see, I am registered for classes at the local college. Its probably my only chance of getting a decent job in this town. Yet the system seems to be working against me. If I don't get an appointment with Michigan Works to get a training waiver, as I understand it, I could lose my benefits. I got this information from forums, blogs and news articles as the Unemployment agency doesn't state anything about the procedures or consequences anywhere. It only states that I must get the waiver.
When I first filed for unemployment I was registered for classes. They Unemployment system told me I needed documentation from the school stating I could drop my classes to accept work. I promptly obtained that and took it to the unemployment office....waited 40 minutes to be told I have to go to a Michigan Works office. I waited in line there to get a piece of paper telling me to get my proof of registration and class schedule then call the number provided to obtain an appointment.
After leaving messages for a week without one return phone call, I finally hit every extension available to get a hold of a human being. I cant get an appointment until two weeks after my classes start. "How will this effect my benefits?" I ask. They don't know, call the unemployment agency. After trying to get through for an hour I give up. I will be up early in the morning to drive to the office.
I have little hope that they will be able to help me. I've been to the office. I've heard how they respond to people. Sometimes there are no answers, sometimes I am given numbers to call...always leading to a dead end.![]()
You see, I am registered for classes at the local college. Its probably my only chance of getting a decent job in this town. Yet the system seems to be working against me. If I don't get an appointment with Michigan Works to get a training waiver, as I understand it, I could lose my benefits. I got this information from forums, blogs and news articles as the Unemployment agency doesn't state anything about the procedures or consequences anywhere. It only states that I must get the waiver.
When I first filed for unemployment I was registered for classes. They Unemployment system told me I needed documentation from the school stating I could drop my classes to accept work. I promptly obtained that and took it to the unemployment office....waited 40 minutes to be told I have to go to a Michigan Works office. I waited in line there to get a piece of paper telling me to get my proof of registration and class schedule then call the number provided to obtain an appointment.
After leaving messages for a week without one return phone call, I finally hit every extension available to get a hold of a human being. I cant get an appointment until two weeks after my classes start. "How will this effect my benefits?" I ask. They don't know, call the unemployment agency. After trying to get through for an hour I give up. I will be up early in the morning to drive to the office.
I have little hope that they will be able to help me. I've been to the office. I've heard how they respond to people. Sometimes there are no answers, sometimes I am given numbers to call...always leading to a dead end.
