So we all know I’m unemployed, well the other day I received my official denied letter from the Virginia Unemployment Commission. The letter goes to a tune of:
“Based on facts obtained in connection with this claim for unemployment compensation filed effective XX/XX/XX, the undersigned deputy pursuant to section 60.2-618(1) of the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act renders the following determination:
CLAIMANT DISQUALIFIED EFFECTIVE XX/XX/XX”
And here was their reasoning behind my denial:
“The claimant voluntarily quit her employment with XXX on XX/XX/XX, to relocate with spouse who was in the military. There was no definite offer of work obtained before quitting.
Section 60.2-618(2) of the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act provides a disqualification if an individual left work voluntarily without good cause. THe commission and the courts have consistently held that to show good cause the individual must prove both the existence of a reasonable employment dispute and that all reasonable alternatives were fully explored prior to quitting.
The Virginia unemployment Compensation Act provides a disqualification for benefits if an individual leaves work voluntarily to accompany or join a spouse in a new location. As a result benefits are denied.”
Now, my husband is active duty military and he received orders to bring us to Colorado Springs. We didn’t ask to come here, yet we pack up and move because the government told us to. Yes, I voluntarily quit my job, what else could I do. Oh yeah, I could have broken up my family and sure enough I wouldn’t be unemployed. Possibly, divorced, but by George I wouldn’t be unemployed.
This is the most ridiculous law I’ve ever heard of. How is that not a good cause?! Virginia has the highest number of military members in a state, granted some are not residents of the state and are exempt on paying state taxes, but we as military spouses that work in the state are not exempt. I’ve paid taxes there for the past 4 years, I’ve never drawn unemployment from the state before, never taken any subsidized assistance and I’m not eligible!!! Then what do you have to do?
Not only do military members give up a lot for their country so do their spouses, children and families. I’ve given up jobs, I’m pretty sure I’ll never been in a job long enough to become vested until after my husband retires, and even then I will be so far behind the game that I’ll be working until my foot is in the grave. Not only do I sacrifice, my children do as well. My children have been in so many different schools, always having to uproot, make new friends and adjust to their surroundings. It’s taught them how to be more open, accept change and made them quite social bunnies. But at what cost?
The military asks us to move, and then says good luck with your life. At least that’s how it feels when you suddenly move, can’t find a job and are denied unemployment to help supplement your family. Every year, the military claims it’s year of the family, yet many states have yet to adopt the military spouse law that grants military spouses unemployment benefits. Not only that, the military spouse preference is a joke when it comes to spouses being hired for jobs on base. But that’s another story.
I’ve been fortunate that my husband hasn’t had to go on a lot of deployments, but he has had some, and I’ve played mother, father, sister, friend, supporter, provider and the list goes on. Do I complain? No, I cope. I cope because that’s what we do as spouses to the military.
Bottom line is the Virginia Unemployment Commission SUCKS!!!
LLL