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How can I push my unemployment appeal to a higher authority? (South Carolina)?

In October of 2009, I received a statement of overpayment for an excess of $3,000 for a period of time where I wasn't working. The South Carolina Employment Security Commission claims that I was not eligible for a certain period of time, stating that I cannot attend school and receive benefits as this is considered "not available for work." My argument is that I was taking online courses. Furthermore, my statement read that I was willing to modify my hours. Naturally, since these were online classes. The Employment Commission takes no issue with online courses, but claims that they received a statement from my school claiming that I cannot change course times. I was told to appeal this decision. Since October of 2009 I was given phone loops, appointments and refused paperwork or written statements. Now I am being told to file a "timeliness" appeal, since my appeal that finally made it through the system is so many months "late". My latest visit to the office revealed that paperwork is sometimes lost, and that I was sent notice of appeals. After investigating, there were issues with the commission's system. I'm becoming increasingly paranoid that I am being given the runaround. When I visit the local unemployment office, I ask to have my name and visit recorded, but whenever I return these records are non-existent. When contacting the legal department and appeals tribunal, I am given a message along the lines of "you will be contacted with the details of your hearing." Outer layer of issue: I have a timeliness hearing, but the hearing has been pushed back for months. This is the cause of the timeliness issue. Who can I talk to in order to jump this loop of red tape? Inner layer: I was ruled ineligible due to school, but I was taking online college and made no indication that I was not available for work. The statement that the commission used was copied and pasted from my school website with my online classes not considered. Can I clear this without being stuck in a loop of red tape? I am currently working, and I would like this unfair demand for repayment removed.

Public Comments

1. you can push your appeal to a higher authority by hiring a lawyer.