Unemployment Census Mess. Any ideas? (claim, payment, work, money)

[flabber1]

Hello,

I have been on Unemployment since last year. My BYE year ended this October, and I still have money to collect. The unemployment office is refiling my claim.

For about a month earlier this year I worked for the census part time, and continued to collect. I separated from them, and the Unemployment Office knows this. Today when I called, they knew the exact dates I worked in the Spring.

I had resigned from the census due to unsafe working environment, and no where left to transfer me.
I assumed that the census let unemployment know this way back in April, and that everything was fine.
I think that Unemployment does not have the ability to check with federal employers like it does with other private employers. My understanding is that I was done due to lack of work, but the census may report it as resignation.

Anyways, I am nervous that they are requesting information from the Census NOW several months later. Will they decide that all my unemployment since then was paid in error? Will this be considered fraud? Will it be overpayment? I hope not, I thought that I had all my ducks in a row. Should I just stop filing and hope that they close my account before a determination is reached?

Thanks

[Ariadne22]

Do not withdraw your application for a new claim year and do not stop claiming. Wait to hear on a determination. Unless you made a false statement when you resumed full benefits or in your application for a new claim year, there is no fraud.

Since your application for a new benefit year has already begun, it is probably too late now to stop the process and avoid possible questions on your eligibility due to your resignation from the census job. If, down the road, unemployment determines you should not have been paid after your census quit, you can deal with that situation if and when it arises. If nothing else, bank any money you are paid henceforth if you are worried they may want repayment.

Since everyone knows census jobs are temporary, I would be surprised if they questioned it now, but anything is possible, I suppose.

[flabber1]

Thank you for your quick reply. So, If I told them that I stopped working due to lack of work, and the FS50 form that the feds send them lists the reason as resignation would that be fraud? Or would it be explainable due to my understanding of the situation?

[choosing78]

It would be fraud if you said it was due to a lack of work, if in fact you quit. I doubt it would be pursued other than an overpayment of benefits that they would want returned.

[OHGreat]

If you quit then yes you wont get unemployment again. I dont think it matters if the job is temporary or not.

[Ariadne22]

Originally Posted by flabber1

Thank you for your quick reply. So, If I told them that I stopped working due to lack of work, and the FS50 form that the feds send them lists the reason as resignation would that be fraud? Or would it be explainable due to my understanding of the situation?

If the issue comes up, you can explain your understanding of the situation, at which point unemployment people will make the determination if it was misunderstanding or fraud on your part. Fraud is a pretty strong term for this situation, imho. But you never know.

Let us know what happens.

[flabber1]

Does anyone have advice on how to move foward on this? Should I just wait and see what happens, or grab the bull by the horns and contact the Unemployment office and spill my guts?

[Ariadne22]

Let sleeping dogs lie. Since you are so worried, it appears you feel you are not entitled to the benefits. Let them assume what they will and make their determination. Chances are they will not be as hard on you as you are being on yourself.

[flabber1]

Thanks for your advice. It is hard to keep calm about unknowns that draw out over time. I am doing my best to keep my mind off of it.