I'm more of a lurker here, but I felt I had to reply to this one. Chances are, you WILL win that claim for unemployment. Just because you are technically "fired" does not mean anything.

Laws do vary, but this will go to a hearing, and most employers simply won't take it that far. It's tedious, costly, etc. Plus, think of what's going through their minds...we fired this employee with MS...gee, we're going to look like jerks if she goes to the press...let's just pay the claim.

I used to manage a temp agency (ugh) and I learned that the state HATES agency/call center type employers cause they have lots of claims and fire people without going through the proper steps.

In my time with the agency we won ONE claim...and that was only because the claimant called the office and threatened to kill us before the hearing. He's in jail now, BTW.

If you have a choice between a phone hearing and a live one, definitely go, and bring documentation from your doc. Your employer probably won't show up anyway.

So sorry this is happening for you. Can you call the places you owe money to and explain the situation? The economy is so bad you will not be the first one to do this.

Keep us posted, OK?