I’d like to start with a thank you, and by saying, “I am grateful”.
Because I am.
Truly.
I think it’s safe to assume that most people are familiar with the phrase, “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”? Well, I have many times before. They gallop or trot slowly into our lives in many different shapes and sizes. This of course makes them all the more difficult to recognize, as gifts. Current circumstances and some hard lessons learned, I am hoping their many forms will no longer go unnoticed or unappreciated by me. Hindsight has me left with a card catalog of examples, but today…
This dusty trail tale begins with my mild case of OCD, which has turned out to be both a blessing and a curse (neigh, neigh). When dealing with confusing and frustrating governmental website navigation, (neigh, neigh) I try to be especially thorough and honest. As thorough and honest as our president. I kid, I tease, I’m far more honest, in fact…
I must say, Michigan’s current unemployment system is an old nag.
By all accounts (including a few horror stories from perfect strangers) and my own personal experience, Michigan’s unemployment processes could use some updating. It is an exhausting, involved and rather complicated process. But also a gift horse of sorts (neigh). And in desperate need of a helping hand(out), this morning I sat through and received an education of sorts from the State of Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (MIUIA).
Much like homeowners and car insurance there are premiums to be paid. Only these are taxes collected for the privilege of business ownership in America. It’s called “unemployment insurance”, because that’s really what is. Rather than a gift or handout. it’s an employees company sponsored insurance policy for emergency employment situations.
In theory, if you’re receiving these benefits it’s likely, because you worked hard and have suffered a job elimination of sorts. Maybe a temporary layoff or like me your place of employment closed unexpectedly. Of course as with many broken people, things and systems there are those who will take advantage of a situation. Don’t believe me? Just ask an addict. But seeing as I am both unemployed and an addict, let’s move on.
According to Marion (an employee of the MIUIA) and until our discussion this morning, I was listed as a full time employee at a part time job, I still maintain. And even though I worked only twenty five hours for the first two weeks of certification, it was made clear, very clear that the computer system does not distinguish the number of hours considered to be full time employment (regardless of a mistakenly checked box). Which is apparently what I had done (maybe). I needed to be listed as underemployed and working only part time. God bless technology and Marion.
My tendencies towards OCD and the idea of owing restitution to the state had me explaining (well, at least trying to) my rather complicated situation. But in Marion’s estimation (neigh, neigh) this was a tangent we didn’t want to get into (maybe neigh, neigh).
And, so after a diet of oats for a short four and a half weeks, the posse’ has rounded up some much needed funds. (neigh, neigh).
Marion to the rescue, my hero. Clad in white, full gallop, with a cloud of dust trailing behind her, she rolled into town with a gift horse. “The key words here are underemployed and part time” buckaroo, she said. And while us town folk are grateful. There is some concern for Sheriff Marion’s rush to our aid, (neigh, neigh) a healthy and rational fear of retribution.
The time I may spend in a hoosegow notwithstanding. There is some good news though. Oh, not for me, but for Marion.
She will never be unemployed!
After being on hold for thirty minutes, what is clear, those folks will always have jobs! That’s for sure. The process is so complicated and the terms so ambiguous that there are huge margins for errors, just like mine. I might still not be receiving any compensation, if not for being locked out of my MIUIA account on-line and being told to call 1-800- please hold.
Honestly, if I weren’t so repulsed by their sloth, I would applaud anyone abusing the system. The level of commitment and “work” needed to avoid physical labor or an honest days work of any kind is so intense and involved that while completely dishonorable… it simply can’t be ignored. The hoops I’ve jumped through to receive unemployment compensation are more work, than work itself.
In fact, the assistance will arrive after I have become employed again full time (neigh, neigh). But, That is the lesson, right? When you’re on the dusty trail, better a slow old nag… than no nag at all. (neigh, neigh)
Of course, I was required by law to report my last check. But just like my missing no-slip shoes, I’m sure that check will never arrive. Considered part of the “tangent” information, Marion says I’ll receive a payment with adjusted deductions based off this non-existent last paycheck (Oh, also less child support, garnishments and taxes… lingmao) this Thursday.
Often draped in adversity, frustration or failure many gift horse’s arrive as old nags. Upon their arrival these horse’s are more difficult to recognize and may require a second look. But they still have gifts to offer. And now finding any reward (lessons, opportunity for growth, etc.,) in these packages I accept them with grace and a thank you. Even life’s smaller poorly wrapped brown bagged gift-pack-mules are deserving of thanks. And those seem to be arriving daily.
And I am grateful. Truly.
As always thanks for popping in. Bless us, Duane
Moment by Moment 
