The Dreaded Pink Slip

Unemployment

I recently got laid off from my job and I have had to navigate through the Missouri unemployment filing system in order to get the money I need to pay bills. During this process, I have been cognizant of what we discussed in class that it is expensive to be poor. I don’t need the money as much as the other people who have to go through the same thing but it was still extremely frustrating.

The first thing you must do is file a claim with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations which you can do online, on the phone or in person. This is where the first hassle reared its head. Because I worked for the federal government, I had to file my claim over the phone. As I continued to hold for going on the second hour after numerous hang-ups, I thought about how many people who are unemployed don’t even have access to a computer or a reliable phone to stay on hold for two hours. These are the people who have to go to the office in person which will most likely require the use of public transportation. This can cost upwards of $15 per week before they can even start receiving money.

After I finally filed and was determined to be eligible, the waiting game began. It ultimately took me 5 weeks to receive any money, which I did get all at once when it finally came. During this time, those who really depended on their jobs to provide for themselves and/or their families would really have to be resourceful. I assumed that the process was slowed due to the high volume of claims from the rocky economy but I don’t think that would be much help to someone who has an entire family depending on them for their basic needs.

I have never complained about the amount of taxes that I paid before and now that I have seen and experienced first hand how important unemployment benefits are to those who really need them, I don’t think I ever will. There will always be people who abuse the system but as long as those who really need the services get them and benefit from them, I think it should be kept in place.