Illinois and Transition (extension, receive, apply, claim)

[maslow23]

Hi All,

I received a letter stating that I need to appear at the local office because I'm about to exhaust my Tier 1 benefits and need to establish my claim for Tier 2. They want work search forms and there's also a Reemployment Eligibility Assessment Review Form to complete as well. Has anyone actually done this process yet? I have never had to go to the local office so am really hoping for no surprises at this visit. Thanks for any thoughts.

Maslow

[Chyvan]

I believe this is only because of the new requirements associated with the recent EUC extension passed on February 22, 2012.

I doubt many had to deal with this, so you're probably on your own with getting any solid information on how painful the process will be.

[maslow23]

Thanks Chyvan. Figure I'll just go and hope for nothing painful. I've been working part time and continue to apply for jobs, so I can't think of anything that would put benefits at risk; however, this is Illinois. Not really sure what they'll ask, but I'll report back. Not looking forward to it--lol.

[maslow23]

Well, quite an adventure. I was first told my job logs were inadequate and needed to fix them. So, I did right there. Then, I was told I would be given the automatic audit regarding actively looking for work. And I have received that audit, so it's not a lie. The rep explained "everyone is to receive this and it's the Feds doing it not me". Take that for what it may be worth. So, now I have a phone interview to explain whether or not I have really been looking for work. Most of my job search has been online and the rep said they don't consider that enough. Ugh. I don't care if you talk to a neighbor about mowing a lawn--consider and cite that as a job possibility as this is getting unreal.

[Chyvan]

If you get a denial on the work search, appeal it.

Some reasons I've seen for getting benefits reinstated is that the state does a terrible job telling you what a correct work search is. They use the behind the scenes criteria that is not a regulatory or statutory requirement. The theory being that your failure to comply with the work search is because you weren't given the information to be incompliance. You have to then show that in the past you've gotten jobs, worked, and been successful using the very technique you're using right now, and that any failure you're having finding a job is because work is not available to you rather then you're not available or looking for it.

[TRC2k11]

Originally Posted by maslow23

Most of my job search has been online and the rep said they don't consider that enough. Ugh. I don't care if you talk to a neighbor about mowing a lawn--consider and cite that as a job possibility as this is getting unreal.

I spent 14 months on unemployment and did all of my job searching online. I found my job and was hired over the phone for a job 3000 miles away...

... all without leaving my living room.

Online searching not being enough is a crock especially with today's gas prices.

[Ariadne22]

Not only that, try getting into any HR office for an in-person application without an appointment. You can't even get past the guard in the lobby in most large office buildings, these days.

I'd be interested to know what Illinois UE is defining as "enough," given today's online Chinese wall between applicant and employer.

How ridiculous.

[maslow23]

Completely agree with all the above and appreciate the comments. The interview is next Wednesday. Not really certain what I'll say other than that I have applied online and when applying in person have been told to go online to complete the process (as we all know). Hopefully, no denial, but who the heck knows. I still have time to polish my response to the expected question(s). I just hope I have not been the chosen one for this and future "audits". Something strange is happening in Illinois as I've also received 3 automated calls regarding workshops that the local is holding in the last week as well. I wonder if they have made the Feds angry--lol.

[Gigi4you]

Hey Maslow.... I'm really curious to fond out what happened after your interviews. Did they find your search inadequate? Did you have to pay back any of the Unemployment benefits? I am scared of this entire process. Are they really looking to help people out or harrass them for not being able to find work?

[Gigi4you]

so what happened?