Second Ui Phone Interview

[Joie]

My question involves unemployment benefits for the state of: California

I was, along with several other employees, laid off of my job in February. I filed for unemployment, conducted my phone interview, and began receiving compensation. Last week I received a notice for a second telephone interview, and on the back it says during the interview I may be asked some of the following questions:
"Your refusal of a referral to a job or an offer of work.
Why did you refuse the referral or job offer?"

I am very nervous, since I have been expecting a check from them, which I am assuming is being withheld pending the phone interview.

The only thing I can think of that this might be about:

When we were let go, the offer was made that we work for commission only, when formerly we had an hourly guarantee should we not make our commission. Business was doing so poorly in the last year or so that almost NO sales were being made, and no one had made any commission in that amount of time. There were too many employees for the amount of sales coming in, and it didn't make sense to have all of us working for so little. We said to our immediate supervisor that due to the current lack of sales we would be making an income less than minimum wage, and asked if we were to consider ourselves laid off- and she said yes. The manager of our department had been let go and made the same offer several months before us, and she has been receiving unemployment benefits ever since. Does it sound, under these circumstances, like I am eligible for unemployment benefits? I want to be prepared for this phone interview coming up.

[Betty3]

Possibly- however, it will be up to the "state" to decide whether you receive UI benefits or not. Their opinion/decision is the only one that counts. They may just want to verify some information with you - you "may" still receive benefits.

During the interview, just tell the truth. Good luck.

[DonnyC]

And remember to keep certifying for benefits or you will not be paid for the weeks you did not certify if your appeal is awarded in your favor.

[Joie]

Thanks, Betty. I guess I will just have to wait and see.

Donny, what does that mean "keep certifying for benefits"? I am still available for and seeking work everyday, but they haven't sent me another one of those bi-weekly fill-in-the-bubble forms to fill out and send in.