Extremely Dumb Department

I do not understand California’s approach to unemployment or their ironically named “Employment Development Department” which basically punishes people for being productive members of society.

I filed for unemployment benefits when I lost my job last September, but most weeks I receive very little money because I’m also doing some freelance writing and independent contractor work—and whatever I make means less money from the state. The only way to get full unemployment benefits is to stay home and watch TV.

I understand the philosophy that if you’re able to work you shouldn’t “live off the state” (a laughable concept considering the amount they pay compared to the cost of living out here) but a fundamental principle of management is to reward what you want to see more of. They want us to find work, so why are they rewarding the opposite?

The latest wrinkle is that because I made money two weeks in a row, I stopped receiving the claim forms for the following weeks. When I questioned it, the automated email told me I’d been kicked out of the system (okay, not exactly those words) and I’d need to start all over and reapply as if I’d just been laid off. So now I’m not only being penalized for trying to earn my way, but I’m burning through the state’s money by creating more paperwork for them to process.

And don’t even get me started about the inane meetings you have to attend or the EDD employee who—after I’d waited on hold for approximately 18 hours—got snippy with me for asking questions that would allow me to fill out the paperwork honestly.

I’m glad Arnold’s funding energy research with UC Berkeley and working on our health care coverage, but the EDD could use some work.