Dealing With IDES - A Question....

[global1]

My friend filed for unemployment now weeks ago. She is waiting for some certification letter to move to what she says is the next step and she hasn't received it yet. She's attempted many times to contact IDES only to get either a busy signal; wait on hold for hours and then be hung up on when she gets connected, She hasn't been able to ask the question about her filing or this certification letter. H

Has anyone here had the same experience - and if so - what did you do? What can she do? Is the system overwhelmed that they have dropped far behind what they can handle? Or are they just trying to run out the clock so they don't have to provide that extra $600.00.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[dixiechiken1]

1. Tell her to keep trying...

My brother had a lot of problems even getting his initial claim filed because the system was so overwhelmed. Then, once he finally got it filed, they rejected his claim because of some discrepancy in his pension amount.

He kept calling and calling, experiencing the exact same issues (busy signal, on hold for hours, getting disconnected, etc.). This went on for weeks. He persisted and finally got through to a live person & got everything straightened out.

So, first off, when she filed her claim, did she get the confirmation page stating her claim was received? If not, she may need to refile. If so, has she tried going online to the IDES website to certify? Her letter may have gotten lost in the mail so I would suggest she try that first. If it won't let her, please tell her to keep calling. Persistence is going to be key here. It's maddening, I know, but keep trying.

It absolutely sucks when you need that money to survive and can't get through the system to get it. Two good things to note, however, are that:

(1) Governor Pritzker is a Democrat. If IL were under Republican leadership, then I would worry about the state trying to screw people out of their unemployment benefits. (See Florida. 🙄 ) I know of a few people who had to wait to get their benefits due to system inefficiencies, but they all eventually got them.

(2) If/when she finally does get approved, her benefits will be paid retroactively to the date she was furloughed, etc. That will include the $600.

Best of luck to your friend! 🙋‍♀️

[mopinko]

2. the tech is stone age. c'mon jb. i know you are busy, but..

this is his claim to fame.
i know he aint rowin this boat.