I had a job. The company didn’t realize that they actually had to sell product to stay in business. Almost all of the workforce was let go or furloughed. I’ve been unemployed for over a month now.
I’ve filled out dozens upon dozens of job apps, starting even before I lost my job. I have my resume public on job listings sites for employers and hiring agencies to find, and I’ve sent my resume to employers and hiring agencies directly. I look through the listings on job boards for each day, mostly limiting my search to a wage that would allow me to make ends meet at home. I’ve solicited and implemented advice from resume design experts. I’ve had one in-person interview, a few preliminary phone interviews, and a couple of message conversations between recruiters and myself. The one in-person interview I had would not have paid enough for my monthly expenses and I was overqualified for the position; they decided against hiring me. I had another interview scheduled and confirmed via a hiring agency’s AI text bot and a human agent’s text; I drove to the scheduled interview place and time and they had no idea that I was supposed to be interviewed. All other communication has either been flat-out rejection or just left me hanging.
I have a Bachelor’s of Science degree from a top 25 ranked university in the US. I have no criminal record. I do have multiple disabilities but they are generally mitigable enough to not affect my work. I have references of my (now) former boss and a (now) former coworker who both praise my impact and aptitude in the factory and office workplace. I’m evidently overqualified for positions that don’t require higher experiences and I’m underqualified for nearly everything else; I can’t get experience in most niche or broad fields because nearly every position requires these experiences to have already been met. I try to follow all the invisible rules of applying and social etiquette. I am too physically ugly to sell my body. It feels like there’s always been a magical aura about me that makes people dislike me no matter how much I try to do the ethically or socially right thing. How am I supposed to get an income to survive?
(In the US) No, you are either misuderstanding unemployment or you read wrong information. There is no such elgiblity requirement in any state.
File for unemployment. You have nothing to lose by trying. Get an official decline, and even then, dispute it.
I went through it a few months ago and for California, at least, the only restrictions were a 2-year limit to be on it, you have to check in weekly to attest to regularly searching/applying, and that you were ‘let go’ through no fault of your own. (i.e. quit or fired)
To add, they will generally set up an eligibility interview over the phone with a social worker before any decisions are made.
I would also suggest to apply for health insurance through the ACA’s website as it takes a bit of time and you don’t want to be stuck without and get injured or with a penalty. (if mandated by your state) It’s generally at no cost if you don’t have an income and can be canceled when you do.