News 13, the Morning News and scnow.com are committed to helping you make ends meet. Along those lines, we will be bringing you a regular series of online question and answer chats called Ask An Expert.
This week, we feature Donnie Hill with the Marion office of the Employment Securities Commission, who will answer questions on jobs, employment and unemployment.
(This chat is no longer active, however we will offer another opportunity to have your questions answered soon.)
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3:55 p.m.
Xenya in Florence asks ...
After receiving unemployment for a month, the manager that fired me decided to appeal my benefits. Instead of me having to pay back the benefits that I had already received, they decided to take my unemployment check each week that I received until it's all paid back. I will be able to start back receiving the check myself in April, but my question is if I find a job before then do they forgive the balance (which is about $430.00), will I have to pay it back, or will they take it out of the income tax check that I would receive in 2010?
If you stop filing for unemployment benefits the payments will need to be made by you. They do not take it out of your tax money until you are given time to repay it. You can agree with our benefit payment division to repay a certain amount each week or month. The payments can be mailed in or paid at a local office.
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3:41 p.m.
Lisa in Latta asks ...
I went on extended benefits in January of this year that will run out in May. My benefits year ends 06/30/09 if I still have not found a job will I be eligible for any other extended benefits?
If you exhaust all your entitlement to extended benefits , there is currently no other extensions available . Once your benefit year ends you can apply to see if you are eligible for more unemployment benefits.
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2:43 p.m.
John in Mullins asks ...
I am an unemployed truck driver and can not find a job driving local and can not go over the road due to my 5 year old child who I see every other weekend and I also cannot draw a benefit check from the state. My question is, is there any other help out there that will keep me afloat and is there any signs that the truck driver job market will improve?
If you can not receive unemployment benefits , might need to check with DSS to see what assistance they can provide. Come by your local workforce center to see what kind of jobs are available. At some point the job market will change. The biggest advice I can give you when looking for work is to be a person looks for work like they are working. There also could be other non profit organization in your area that might can assist you. Check with your church pastor.
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2:31 p.m.
Robert in Florence asks ...
What if your money runs out before your time does? Such having a dealine of October 2010, but only have around $800 left to collect.
Right now if you run out of Unemployment benefits you can apply for extended benefits. The extended benefits law is in effect until 08/09/09. It was give you additional weeks of benefits. Will need to go to your local workforce when you go to zero balance on your existing claim. Can not apply for extended benefits online, have do it in person.
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1:08 p.m.
Robin in Conway asks ...
I am in a similar situation that Britt from Florence is in, except that I have already gone through the WIA program and received a Web Design Certificate from HGTC. One employer wanted me to work for free until he could get on his feet. Haven't found anything in Web Design since. I need to stay close to my Father in Conway because of his health. There seems to be too many stay-at-home scams on the Internet to go that route. My field of experience is with Telecommunications and training. Do you have any suggestions?
You might want to talk with your case manager for WIA and see if there is any thing else than can help you with . Also to see if they can help with some job placement. (added later) Just thought of something else, have you talked with people at Horry Telephone?
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12:53 p.m.
K Sterner in Myrtle Beach asks ...
Will there be another extension for unemployment benefits? I have exhausted the other extensions.
Right now there is not another extension, There is talk of having another one , but this in enacted by congress in Washington. At this point they have not put another one into effect.
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12:51 p.m.
Mr. Mookie in Marion asks ...
SC is ranked 48th with an unemployment rate of approx. 8.4% Marion County reports 19.0% unemployment. Do you think this is an accurate figure? What happens when an individual no longer receives unemployment benefits? Are they still factored in the equation? I ask because I think our (Marion) is much higher than reported.
If they are still active in our system looking for work , then they are factored into the numbers. If they are out of unemployment money and they become inactive looking for work they are not figured into the rate. The actual rate of Marion County is 22.4 per cent.
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10:30 a.m.
Steven J. from Hartsville asks ...
I am drawing unemployment and am actively looking for a new job. I don't want to take a job I'm not qualified for but I don't want to lose my benefits. What are my options?
Under unemployment rules you have to be available and actively seeking a job that you have experience or training in, at the salary you last worked, and the hours you last worked. If you do not understand how it effects your unemployment you need to contact your local workforce center.
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8:27 a.m.
Britt R. in Florence asks ...
I am unemployed from an industry in which I have no hope of working in again -- at least in this geographic area. Even though I have a bachelor's degree and beyond I find in midlife I need to retool my career skills and this will likely involve returning to school. I can do this much quicker if I'm not working but I worry that I'll have to seek a job to maintain my unemployment benefits. How can I handle this.
You might want to go to your local one stop to see what is available thru the WIA program that can help you with your situation
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