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Fibro and panic attacks...

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Posted 3/18/2009 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
I read another post about something similar earlier and have a few questions regarding unemployment and disability... here's my situation:

I lost my job about a month ago due to a panic attack at work (I worked in a hospital, non-medical job though). I walked out of the room because i was suffocating and they said I quit, so I can not get unemployment. I am only 24 years old and don't think I have a shot at disability. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis as well as multiple other, sometimes debilitating, problems. I have been trying to find a job but it doesn't look good. Rent is due soon and i am starting to panic about that. When I think about leaving the house to go to an interview, or even to go to the grocery store, I panic. My mother is on disability for fibro, rheumatoid arthritis and a whole list of other things. She and I share a lot of the same problems. But again, I am only 24. Does anyone have any advice? What should I do, or where should I start?
Posted 3/18/2009 6:21 PM (GMT 0)

Did you have an unemployment hearing?

What do you mean by "left the room"? Did you stay on sight? Why would they say you quit?

Age is not a requirement for disability. If your doctor willl declare you disabled they would likely have to pay it.

Posted 3/18/2009 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
I was a dispatcher for maintenance, patient escort, housekeeping, things like that. I got a call from a very unhappy nurse who began to yell and curse at me and asked if I was stupid. I started to hyperventilate, I got up, took my purse and walked to the bathroom. When I went back, my supervisor told me that when I walked out, he thought I quit so in the 10 minutes I was gone, he had already called HR and told them I quit. The next day i had a meeting with the HR consultant on site and she told me that what was done, was done. I have not had an unemployment hearing... the Director (my bosses boss) told me that he prided himself on never paying any of his former employees unemployment, so it was pointless to try. And with my panic, anxiety, and depression, i am finding it hard to try because I am almost sure i will be denied. Plus, my former bosses were very good at intimidating me.
Posted 3/18/2009 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
I would contact former co-workers to be able to use as "witnesses" as to what really did happen - in that you DID come back in 10 mins. The second thing...don't let the director determine if you're even going to try. Unemployment payment is not determined by him. It's determined by your state and what they think did or did not happen. Who knows, this company may already have a reputation for misrepresenting the details of people's terminations. So...when it comes to the director, he's full of **** about whether he pays or not since it's not his choice.

When I worked for "the phone company" I was a union steward. I had to frequently go into various hearings for these kinds of things, and I have to say that intimidation tactics are one of the things that fry my butt immediately.

As for disability, I don't have any experience with it. But I do believe the advice that you were given regarding your doctor's determination of your status, being your best bet. I've seen people as young as freshly 18 get it and I've seen 60 year olds turned down. I think it's more of a matter of what your doctor thinks than anything else.

Don't panic about the rent. It will take some digging, but there are agencies in almost every state that will help with emergency assistance for that. In this city there's 4 of them that I can think of off the top of my head. However, you can only use each of them once a year. So there ARE options, you just need to start looking and stop thinking. lol
Posted 3/18/2009 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
I would apply for the unemployment and if need be go to the hearing and hold your head high. No one has the right to call you stupid that would have been enough to send me into a frenzy... As far as disability goes I would talk to your DR.
LeeAnn
Posted 3/18/2009 8:29 PM (GMT 0)

Your previous employer can not deny you benefits. They can only tell the unemployment people the circumstances surrounding your departure. The final decision is made by the unemployment people. You did not quit and need to be adimate about that in your statement. "I did not quit, I went to the bathroom" It should be an easy decision.

I strongly encourage you to apply. That is why the unemployment tax is paid, to protect employees who are unemployed due to no fault of their own.

You will likely not have any contact with your previous employer. The first step is written statements. A determination will be made based on those statements. Either of you can contest the findings. It would then go to a "phone hearing". You are conference called from the luxury of your own home by a mediator.

( I am an employer and have participated in several of the phone hearings)

Posted 3/18/2009 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
I got disability when I was 22 (I was approved when I was 22, but started the process when I was 20) for depression, anxiety/panic attacks ,also for migraines, chronic pancreatitas due to pancreatic divisum. But the welfare office had a woman on staff that helps people with that, and she contacted my doctors and other people, and when i was denied, she helped me resubmit it. Then when I asked fr a hearing she gave me a list of attornies, and as soon as i got one, a month later they decided to rule in my favor without going to court. Also I know my welfare office will do one month of rent and utilities if you dont have benifits from them already. I have a little book full of lists for help for housing, utilities, food, clothing, and shelter, see if you can find one for your area, your welfare office may have some. Maybe even your landlord, if your renting, may have some ideas for you. Just remember that if it gets close to rent time, dont wait to the last minute to let anyone know, start asking for help, cause you cant get any if you dont ask, trust me cause I know by experience, theirs always help out there. Sometimes their churches out there that will help with tings like this, and you dont have to convert or anythng, they just like helping. Well I hooe I gave you some ideas on where to start. But dont sit back and nothing, things will just get worse.

-hellokitty
Posted 3/19/2009 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
The Salvation Qrmy, local churches, St. Vincent De Paul and Catholic Community Services are great agencies that will help with your rent.

In addition, they can lead you to other places.

I would file for the unemployment. You only went to the bathroom due to a panic attack. HR was wrong.

The best to you dearie, just keep calling around for help , it is available.

Donnaeil
Posted 3/22/2009 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
I would definitely go for the unemployment and I wouldn't wait too long. If it gets denied then you go to a hearing and a judge will hear both sides and decide. As others have said, try to find some witnesses that will speak or write a letter on your behalf. Before you go to the hearing write down every detail of everything that happened then when you get in there you will be prepared. I have a Worker's Comp case that I had to fight for 8 months but I won. Never give up no matter how hard it is to keep going. Call your local Social Services for help with food stamps, health insurance and they will help you find someone to help with your rent. Good luck to you !
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