Trying to understand partial UI. (claim, work, money, state)

[kyleclark]

My wife was called back to her job. She is a full time employee. Her first week she was given 20 hours instead of her regular 37 hours. Can she still claim partial unemployment?

Thanks..

[Chyvan]

Just file, report the gross earnings, and let the state figure it out. If you report too much money, they won't pay you anything, and if it's not enough, you'll get your partial check.

[Phil Ivey]

She won't get anything, In PA, UE is usually 50% net of your gross, So she'll be working 20hrs. which is 1/2 of her normal Gross when she was working.

[anon25]

She's better off just working the 20 hours and save the UI weeks in case she's let go again. Her unemployment pay will be the same for a year from sign up date, not the the 20 hours if she is let go again.

Plus she may pick up more hours and has a better chance getting a better job while employed.

[Ariadne22]

Originally Posted by Phil Ivey

She won't get anything, In PA, UE is usually 50% net of your gross, So she'll be working 20hrs. which is 1/2 of her normal Gross when she was working.

Partial benefits vary by state. An almost 50% reduction in hours could very easily result in benefits in NJ and elsewhere.

Originally Posted by kyleclark

My wife was called back to her job. She is a full time employee. Her first week she was given 20 hours instead of her regular 37 hours. Can she still claim partial unemployment?

OP has previously posted he's in NJ. So, assuming wife works and would be filing in NJ, it might work out like this:

First know that, NJ grosses up the UE benefit 20% (partial benefit rate) if you work and deducts part-time earnings from that PBR.

For example, if your wife was earning $740 wk ($20/hr) and has been for a while, her WBA would be $444.

Because she's working part-time, her PBR becomes $533. ($444+20%)

She works 20 hr. @ $20/hr., earns $400. NJ pays her $133 ($533 - $400).

I think she should file. She'll get the process started on a claim which still has a decent earnings history. If she's laid off again, the claim is in place and she isn't spending the often two months it can take NJ to get a claim going.