Comments on: Waiting on the Phone http://davewrites.com/waiting-on-the-phone/ about technology, life and an imperative to create something better Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:55:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Matt Finnigan http://davewrites.com/waiting-on-the-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-250 Matt Finnigan Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:36:59 +0000 #comment-250 Good lord. I moved to Boston in October, and got laid off from my IT job in CT the week that I moved. Thus, I had to file in CT. You can open an initial claim over the phone (long hold times, then a clerk takes your details.) After that, you can file a continued claim once a week on the phone (fully automated) or online. Good lord. I moved to Boston in October, and got laid off from my IT job in CT the week that I moved. Thus, I had to file in CT. You can open an initial claim over the phone (long hold times, then a clerk takes your details.) After that, you can file a continued claim once a week on the phone (fully automated) or online.

]]> By: Adriel Hampton http://davewrites.com/waiting-on-the-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-249 Adriel Hampton Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:52:39 +0000 #comment-249 Wow. As we look at visionary ways to do government, there is still so much wrong at the baseline tech level (I say as I gather paper documents from the Web, hunt for my son's IDs and schedule time off work to register for kindergarten). Wow. As we look at visionary ways to do government, there is still so much wrong at the baseline tech level (I say as I gather paper documents from the Web, hunt for my son’s IDs and schedule time off work to register for kindergarten).

]]> By: Tape http://davewrites.com/waiting-on-the-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-248 Tape Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:23:41 +0000 #comment-248 I find it amusing that they have the stones to call it the Division of Unemployment <i>Assistance</i>. I find it amusing that they have the stones to call it the Division of Unemployment Assistance.

]]> By: David http://davewrites.com/waiting-on-the-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-247 David Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:46:41 +0000 #comment-247 You'd think this could all be done online now... I was able to open a new claim on Saturday after waiting only (!) 35 minutes, but I screwed up the weekly income number so I have to call first thing tomorrow, because the call volume is so bad now that you're restricted to calling only on certain days based on the last digit of your SSN. If I could change this online I would, but you can't. At least you can do the weekly thing online.<br /> <br /> Still, beats driving to the closest office which for me is Haverhill. You’d think this could all be done online now… I was able to open a new claim on Saturday after waiting only (!) 35 minutes, but I screwed up the weekly income number so I have to call first thing tomorrow, because the call volume is so bad now that you’re restricted to calling only on certain days based on the last digit of your SSN. If I could change this online I would, but you can’t. At least you can do the weekly thing online.

Still, beats driving to the closest office which for me is Haverhill.

]]> By: Denise http://davewrites.com/waiting-on-the-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-246 Denise Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:07:21 +0000 #comment-246 I totally agree that more has to be done online. The process isn't complicated but definitely doesn't work.<br /> <br /> Last November I had the same experience on the phone so I went downtown one afternoon to take care of it in person. I brought a book because I knew it would take a while. After driving around awhile to find a meter spot, I headed to the building on Staniford Street, only to find a hand-written sign on the locked door. It was only 3:00 but they closed the office early because there were too many people in the office. I totally agree that more has to be done online. The process isn’t complicated but definitely doesn’t work.

Last November I had the same experience on the phone so I went downtown one afternoon to take care of it in person. I brought a book because I knew it would take a while. After driving around awhile to find a meter spot, I headed to the building on Staniford Street, only to find a hand-written sign on the locked door. It was only 3:00 but they closed the office early because there were too many people in the office.

]]> By: yea http://davewrites.com/waiting-on-the-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-245 yea Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:05:05 +0000 #comment-245 If you are calling for an extension or just anything, when it ask you to enter your social...just keep hitting 0 it will then take you to the operator.<br /> <br /> i find it amusing how it told me to just call back tomorrow, yet after hitting 0 and waiting 15 mins i was able to speak to someone. If you are calling for an extension or just anything, when it ask you to enter your social…just keep hitting 0 it will then take you to the operator.

i find it amusing how it told me to just call back tomorrow, yet after hitting 0 and waiting 15 mins i was able to speak to someone.

]]> By: Ari Herzog http://davewrites.com/waiting-on-the-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-244 Ari Herzog Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:58:45 +0000 #comment-244 I'll second your nomination for CIO...if you hire me as your deputy!<br /> <br /> Seriously, I'm on hold with DUA as I type due to my filling out the form incorrectly (well, correctly to my perception but bad to theirs). But rather than push-dial the options, I'm half pretending I have a rotary phone to see what happens and half frustrated the form cut me off before I could correct the error. I’ll second your nomination for CIO…if you hire me as your deputy!

Seriously, I’m on hold with DUA as I type due to my filling out the form incorrectly (well, correctly to my perception but bad to theirs). But rather than push-dial the options, I’m half pretending I have a rotary phone to see what happens and half frustrated the form cut me off before I could correct the error.

]]> By: Tyson Goodridge http://davewrites.com/waiting-on-the-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-243 Tyson Goodridge Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:18:43 +0000 #comment-243 Amen to that- and that doesn't even count trying to OPEN up a claim. Their process is VERY antiquated. Now going to nominate you for CIO over there.... :-) Amen to that- and that doesn’t even count trying to OPEN up a claim. Their process is VERY antiquated. Now going to nominate you for CIO over there…. :-)

]]> By: Rachel Levy http://davewrites.com/waiting-on-the-phone/comment-page-1/#comment-242 Rachel Levy Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:07:36 +0000 #comment-242 I've had the same experience! And, had the same thought that this should be automated some how. Keep writing Dave, it's comforting to know I'm not the only one.<br /> <br /> -Rachel (@bostonmarketer) I’ve had the same experience! And, had the same thought that this should be automated some how. Keep writing Dave, it’s comforting to know I’m not the only one.

-Rachel (@bostonmarketer)

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