TRIUMPH!
As of today my case has been closed, and I will be able to receive my back benefits as well as further benefits.
My case worker was as incredulous as I was about the dispute on the claim (he even said it became water cooler fodder for him and his co-workers because of how ridiculous it was) We went over my job title and expectations, he confirmed that he received my fax of the contract that I signed, and that they had not offered me a 2nd contract...
That became a sticky topic because they HAD offered me a 2nd show starting several weeks later, but I turned it down because I do not wish to work with the company because of it's way of over-working and under-paying it's employees (including sub-par per diem.) Also I had already accepted another show at that time with a different company. In January the other show fell through, but it was obviously too late to take the contract with the 1st company (not that I wanted to )
Luckily the case worker listened to me and agreed that while I "turned down" further employment I was totally in my right to seek and accept "more remunerative employment" even if it did end up falling through.
So as of tomorrow my benefits will be released and this whole thing is behind me (I hope!) There is a chance that they can appeal the decision in the next 30 days, but I hope that they aren't feeling like putting up that much of a fight.
Thanks everyone for all of the info and advice!
