Unemployment denies workers’ benefits, help

Editor,

I would like to share my experience with trying to receive unemployment benefits from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.

I am a 43-year-old man who has worked full time in the state of New Mexico since I turned 18 years old. I worked my way through college and I eventually received my master’s degree as a physician assistant. Even though I worked though my own blood, sweat and tears, I consider myself fortunate to have my degree and my career. I love my job.

On Aug. 12, my supervising physician and friend, Dr. Bill McConnell, died unexpectedly. When he died, he had been the owner of a small inpatient medical practice that employed myself, another PA, and a medical doctor.

We were all very shaken up by his death. He had been much more than a boss to us. He was a mentor and a friend. This was a huge emotional and financial blow to all of us, but we did what needed to be done.

Over the past two and a half months, the three of us started our own business. We have taken every difficult road by ourselves, and we have, I believe, continued to take care of patients in a manner that would have made Dr. McConnell proud.

His estate has been kind to lend us some money over these months to help offset some of our personal expenses while we waited for the various insurance providers to get us in their systems so that we could get paid for our services. Typically, it takes Medicare and the other big insurance payers (e.g. Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Presbyterian, United, etc.) three months before they start payment. This is normal.

I applied for unemployment benefits. I had to. I didn’t want to, but I was quickly sinking financially while waiting to get paid for the work I was doing. I had gotten three weekly checks for $386, and I was expecting that I would need maybe two more weeks of support until we started receiving payment from the insurance carriers.

I was informed by the New Mexico Workforce Solutions that I would need to attend a three-hour class where they were going to teach me how to “re-enter the workforce.” I explained to them that I really didn’t need this class because I was in fact already working. Additionally, I mentioned that if I attended the class, I would be creating a hardship to my company and the patients to which we provide services. I was told that if I did not attend the class, I would be cut off from my benefits immediately, which is exactly what has occurred.

I am in disbelief. These government bullies are out of control. I shudder to think what would have become of me if I were looking at a longer period of time until my first influx of revenue from my new company.

I have tried to call and discuss this matter and have remained on hold for up to 20 minutes on four different occasions. I have left messages, but, of course, I have not received any calls back. This is an abuse of power. This is disappointing. This is not the type of government that I’m paying for.

Mark Gould
UNM community member