LA Times: Unemployment insurance: A guide

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cover22-2009feb22,0,2705204.story

Our primer can help you avoid pointless hours on hold and delays in getting the benefits you're entitled to.

By David Colker
February 22, 2009

Two bright-red phones at the Verdugo Jobs Center in Glendale are direct lines to the state offices that manage unemployment insurance, the benefit that can be a lifesaver after a layoff.

But because of record unemployment levels in the state, picking one up doesn't mean you'll get through any time soon.



"Sometimes people call all day," said Carolyn Anderson, manager of the center.

Calling from home is as bad if not worse, and don't even think of applying in person -- the unemployment insurance offices were closed to the public years ago.

The deputy director of the program, Deborah Bronow, admits that the state's booklet on unemployment benefits doesn't help applicants much.

"We know they don't read it," Bronow said. "It's big, and we're the government."

Even the table of contents is confusing.

FULL story at link.