The job I lost
I was working for a call center in Taos, New Mexico for nearly a year and a half. Everyone suspected something was wrong, but was not sure what would happen there. We had just celebrated the company being at that location for 5 yrs when we were all called into a meeting on the morning of Oct 15, 2009 and told we no longer had jobs. We all cleared out our desks and went home. I was given unemployment which I had barely survived on. Now it is all gone as New Mexico did not renew my unemployment even though the President's bill passed!
What it's like being unemployed
It is very hard. I live alone with my two dogs and have to pay all my bills (or had to I should say) on a very small unemployment. I did not qualify for food stamps or commodities or any other aid I was told. Everyone said I made the highest unemployment you could get which was not true since I knew people making more than I was! I tried everything and got no help. I tried help with a housing company that was supposed to find me a place to live and pay part of my rent for 3 months. Never happened! I moved to Albuquerque, NM and have lived her for six months barely surviving; going to food banks; standing in the cold for two hours just to get a weeks worth of food. I have found no work even though I apply every week. People have laughed at me telling me there is no work here just like there was no work in Taos. And it is because there are so many people per job that it is extemely hard to find decent work and be able to survive on it. I am now at my wits end! I though my unemployment would be extended since i haven't even been on it that long since the Presidents bill passed; but I was wrong! I went to certify today and they told me on the net that there are no longer benefits for me! So what am I supposed to do now? There is no one to help me and I will have about 3 weeks to stay here before I and my dogs are kicked out! What was the Presidential bill for if it is not going to help people like me?
Advice
- Check out your states position on unemployment and see how long they actually do give it to people; look for work every day even if you get sick physically until you find something! Move to another state if yours does not have adequate unemployment help. Make sure you are not being discriminated against due to your race! Since I am white/native american; I have been discriminated against for finding work and Any help at all here in New Mexico! Look Early into every other form of help you can get Before you end up in the same situation I am! The presidents bill won't obviously help rvery unemployed person like me.
