Forgive me if this seems harsh and drastic, but these are real emotions I'm feeling at this very moment. They aren't pretty, but they are honest.
When they haul me off to the local sanitarium this winter, you can blame Ohio Jobs and Family Services.
Seriously.
Dealing with them has done nothing but make me want to scream and cry. I'm not much of a screamer so I've done a lot of crying over the last three months. JQ was laid off back at the end of November as a result of this wonderful state the economy is in. In the beginning of December he applied for unemployment. Here it is now, the end of February and we have yet to receive a single penny from unemployment.
Which pretty much sucks ass when you cannot survive on one income.
Their rationale for denying him? He is going to school and "therefore unable to work the regularly scheduled hours for a job in his field". Excuse me? What about the fact that he was going to school when he still had a job?
What about the fact that he has worked his ass off for the last 15 years and never asked for a penny of government handout? How about the fact that he and his employers have paid into this bullshit for the last 15 fucking years?
FAIL—Ohio Jobs and Services. F.A.I.L.
Oh, and talking with a person on the phone? Nearly impossible. You have to do everything online. How fucking convenient. If you DO actually get a person on the phone? They aren't going to help you. They will just redirect you to the internet.
Lovely. Just fucking lovely.
In another month or two we won't be able to pay our bills. After that? Our house? Feeding our son?
Why bother even waking up in the morning? It just keeps pushing me further and further into a state of depression. I'd get some therapy, but we can't afford it.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
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17 comments:
Your yoga dvds can be great therapy. Just like massage, some of the stretches and poses release emotions and tensions within places in your body that you didn't realize were storing them. It might mean you cry even more, but you'll feel better after.
I really hate that you're going through this. We've been there, and I don't wish it on anyone. What ridiculous rationale that branch of govt. is functioning under... I completely understand your frustration. You DO have to let those emotions out, rather than keeping them in.
One day at a time.
One breath at a time.
Oh, Pixie. To say that this sucks is the understatement of the century. I'm so sorry to hear that things are so tough for you guys right now, but I sincerely hope they get better. The economy is so scary right now. Our friends and family seem to be getting laid off left and right and it keeps hitting closer to home. You guys are in my thoughts and I really am pulling for you. I wish I had a way or a suggestion to make it better.
I'm so sorry.
And I'm sure he had one of those jobs which ENCOURAGES you to go to school so you can get a better position with them.
That's fucked up. I wish there was something I could do to help.
Shades—You're probably right. Maybe I'll do that this evening after G-tot goes to bed.
Christina—Thanks. Your email made me cry.
Lora—Thanks. Isn't the idea of denial due to bettering oneself ridiculous.
Nobody—Maybe you could convince my local PBS station to go back to analog? They made the switch today—there goes our morning distractions (Martha Speaks, Curious George, Syd the Science Kid).
Absolute, total bull shit! It is extremely hard to remain positive when things are so sucky and so completely unfair.
But, you have each other, and your smart, wonderful son. This will not kill you, only make you stronger as individuals and a family when this (temporary) situation is over.
I am sending positive energy your way for a change for the better.
Love you guys,
ac(w)p
That is shitty.
I feel for you guys. I really do. And the fact that I can say I know exactly how you feel is shitty, because that's not the kind of stuff I want to have in common with other people.
Things will look up. We'll be sending good vibes your way.
I don't think I can help with the PBS thing..
But I do have a couple of DTV boxes that I don't use. I mail you one.
I read about it on JQ's blog and I think it sucks too. I thought dealing with California was bad when I tried to tell them I moved.
Are you still eligible for WIC? You may want to look into it to help with groceries. Is there some way to word things so school isn't an issue. I had an job opportunity that was part-time, and not quite a fit, but even if it worked out, I was worried about losing my unemployment. I bet Indiana isn't' much different.
This truly sucks, and I really wish you didn't have to go through this. It sounds incredibly frustrating and I think it's great if you come on here and vent to get out some of that anger! Blogs are great for that.
So is the government expecting him to just drop out of school to fit their requirements? Because if so that is so effed up on so many levels... man, I am praying for you and sending you any extra good energy I can spare! Hang in there, and don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything at all; even if it's just a recommendation for another Neil Gaiman book. Whatever works. :)
This is my biggest fear... I am so sorry you are in this situation and wish I could help you out.
Check into WIC - with G-TOT being little - you should be able to get some assistance - ask if you they have anything that will help you - check out a food pantry - and if you need a referral etc...
And I'm sure you have already done this - but thought I'd put it out there:
Call your mortgage company NOW - ask them if they can in any way help your situation even if they can temporarily lower the monthly payment. (some companies will do this, rather than have it go on default)
Call your other bills - ask if you can set up payment arrangements - do this before you are put into collections - maybe the utilities have a budget billing and it would be lower than what you are paying now? Credit cards will do this - for 6 months you have to tell the person who answers the phone that you need to speak to their supervisor, who will transfer you to the right department, they will stop the interest from accumulating and as long as you make the agreed upon payment on time every month, you continue on the program. I don't think that you can charge on the account while on this payment plan - but it may vary from card to card.
Sorry this is sooo long, and I hope I didn't over step - some of this will not apply to you - but maybe one of your readers will see this and say - "hey - I've gotta do this..."
You are an amazing person - you will survive this, it sucks, but you'll survive.
AC(W)P—Yeah, I was having a really hard time staying positive when JQ was trying to iron things out today. I'm better now, but man my emotions were running high.
Dawn—I know. I wouldn't wish this crap on anybody.
Nobody—You don't have to do that.
Lynda—That post on JQ's blog is like a month old. And it still isn't resolved!
Cruel Shoes—Exactly! Oh the horror of wanting to better yourself and make a decent living.
Fantastagirl—Thanks for all the advice. I really hope it doesn't come to any of that—WE WILL SURVIVE—but it's nice to have it available for anybody that needs it.
I bought a new digital TV for my office a couple months ago, and I have two converters still in the boxes. I only have a use for one. We can't have G-Tot missing his PBS Kids programs! I also have a DVD for you two, you guys had said you were interested in the 2000 Foot Tower show that was on NatGeo a few months ago but I never got around to sending you a copy of it.
Your post hit so close to home because we are going through a similar situation. It is so scary to lay in bed at night and wonder where the money is coming from. I feel for you and your family and hope things will turn around. I remember JQ talking about this and and I mentioned getting some kind of job-anything- to at least get some money in. I am working at a diner which is THE ONLY THING I could get right now. Do I want to do it? No. But as the money comes in I know I made the right choice. Have you guys explored other options like a paper route or a serving job or maybe a second job? I am not sure what it is like where you live but there are some options here where we live where you can make some money. Hence, working at the diner.
It makes me so angry that so many people are struggling and there is no help. NONE. And yes, talking to the government workers, if you can get anyone on the phone, does not help at all. It really does make people want to be committed. Hey, at least we'd have a roof over our heads.
Best of luck my friend. I am hoping things turn up.
Naynay—Toledo has a ridiculous number of laid off people right now. I think it was back in December I heard the number was around 15,200 people out of work in the city. It's crazy.
Wow. That just freaking sucks. I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner, I am a bit behind on my blog reading.
I am so sorry you are going through all of that. I was terminated from my position a week ago and know already that my employer is going to fight my unemployment because she's an awful person and now I'm just awaiting the fight to come.
I hope there is still an area for an appeal for you in your state and I will be thinking of you!
I still can not believe this is happening to you guys. (And I am sorry I was not around to adress this post last week when you wrote it, but I saw your tweet) I mean, people who have never worked, never will work and want to cheat the system get money but you who are honest and just want to support your family can not. All because JQ is trying to better himself and further his career. Right. That makes sense. I really can not stand the government and their "rules." They never make sense and always screw over the honest working person.
I wish there was something I could do for you. My heart just goes out to you and I am here if you need anything. Please just ask. Sending lots of love your way...wish it could be loads of cash.
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