Should I ignore my phone interview with unemployment? (home, income)

[jval1996]

I applied and was approved for unemployment in May. I was leaving one job to go to a different one when my household member tested positive for covid 19. I was quarantined for three weeks and during that time my new job quit contacting me. The new job was at a nursing home where they were taking the pandemic seriously. Sense I was five months pregnant at the time I decided to file for unemployment and I've been receiving benefits sense May. Now they want to have a phone interview over questions regarding why I left my job, and I'm wondering what would happen if I just ignored them.

[Robert9]

I do not think it is a good idea to ignore it. I was told when i had one they would cut me off if I did. Same when they made me drive far to weekly workshops

[NY Annie]

Possibilities: 1. Your UE could be stopped; 2. If/when you reapply, they will not approve you.

It's your choice but I think it would be extremely foolish to not do it.

[jval1996]

Thanks, Ill probably do the phone interview then. Do you think they will ask for the money, already received, to be paid back if I'm denied after the interview?

[Robert9]

Originally Posted by jval1996

Thanks, Ill probably do the phone interview then. Do you think they will ask for the money, already received, to be paid back if I'm denied after the interview?

Hard to say. But in my case just because I turned down a job with a recruiter as it was way too far the recruiter reported me. and not only did they cut me off but I did have to pay back what they gave me. But I do not want to say in your case because it is different

[reppin_the_847]

Originally Posted by jval1996

Thanks, Ill probably do the phone interview then. Do you think they will ask for the money, already received, to be paid back if I'm denied after the interview?

Play it smooth & field the call. If you're lucky the employer won't even show up or have much involvement in the process. And the adjudicator has to make a quick decision based off of limited information in a limited amount of time. If you're able to explain it in a smooth fashion you have a decent shot.

[countdowntoUEI]

It's unclear whether you left your old job or where let go from the old job. I think that's the crux of the issue.
If you voluntarily left your old job, you don't qualify. With COVID, I don't know if there's different rules, but you should probably check before talking to them. They'll take what you say to arrive at a decision on your case. And yes they'll want to get back what you received already if they decide you weren't eligible.

I wouldn't mention the new job or the quarantine because you were supposed to be actively looking and available for new work while receiving benefits. If you haven't already, you should apply for other benefits given your pregnancy and loss of income.

[emathias]

As others have said, nothing good would come from ignoring the interview. Chances are they would cut off your checks. I don't think they'd prevent you from re-applying, but why go through all that hassle just to avoid an interview?

Be honest, but don't volunteer information they don't ask for.

[Weenis44]

Absolutely not.

[NorthofHere]

Originally Posted by countdowntoUEI

It's unclear whether you left your old job or where let go from the old job. I think that's the crux of the issue.
If you voluntarily left your old job, you don't qualify. With COVID, I don't know if there's different rules, but you should probably check before talking to them. They'll take what you say to arrive at a decision on your case. And yes they'll want to get back what you received already if they decide you weren't eligible.

I wouldn't mention the new job or the quarantine because you were supposed to be actively looking and available for new work while receiving benefits. If you haven't already, you should apply for other benefits given your pregnancy and loss of income.

From the OP's post it appears she left her old job to take a new job offered to her then was hit with a Covid quarantine and the new job rescinded the offer. If she indeed did have a bonafide offer in writing then she should be ok with that. If it was a verbal offer it maybe hard to prove they did offer her a job. As to actively looking, she didn't say if she submitted resume's (which she should have) but that might slide due to the covid situation. So, yes, I would mention the new job as it maybe the old job is saying she left on her own.