COVID-related response times (apartment, leasing, unemployment benefits)

[mj007009]

I have kind of an odd situation. I was contacted in March for an eligibility interview for a development that I applied to years ago, and by the time I got the appointment I was no longer working due to COVID closure and on unemployment. Before this closure, I had started making a higher income that would have made me ineligible for the apartment, but by the time of my interview I was now eligible because of this. My job is not rehiring me even though they are starting operations (food and beverage), and I've been on unemployment ever since. Since submitting my documents, I have had no one proactively reach out to me from the leasing company, and when I send emails to follow up (avg once every 2 weeks), I just get a stock reply saying that my application is still active and they are going in log # order.

It's now July, and I've recently been contacted about some possible part-time work at a different employer (and different industry) in August. It would only be about 20 hours per week, possibly temporary in nature, and still allow me to be eligible for this development income-wise. My only concern is in the marketing handbook, there's some verbiage about these sorts of drops in income:

Example 2: John Hower recently quit his job as a college professor, where his
tax return shows he earned $75,000 a year, to pursue other interests. He has
recently started working as a waiter and presently earns $27,000 a year
based on his pay stubs and 3rd party verification. In this case, no exception is
warranted. John has clearly demonstrated a recent history of significantly
higher earning patterns. The change appears to be voluntary and/or
temporary in nature, which is not the intent of City-assisted low-income
housing programs. John is encouraged to apply to our programs in the future,
after a minimum of a full year’s tax returns as well as current verifications may
document a suitable pattern of eligibility

My question is: should I be concerned about this verbiage above? Would it be better to try and stay on UI in order to get the apartment whenever it comes around? I would obviously rather work, but I don't want them viewing taking this part time work as suspicious. Would it be beneficial at all to stay partially on UI? And one more question, are there any guidelines on how long this should be taking? Any advice would be so helpful. Thank you.

[stormgal]

I would not be concerned about the verbiage at all, simply because COVID was a black swan type of incident, which affected everyone regardless of skill.

As for considering staying on UI, the lottery people will have to calculate 12 months in advance, and everyone knows unemployment benefits are temporary. In fact, the extra money coming in on UI due to COVID is due to expire this month.

[broadwaycitygirl]

If you’re on UI you can be considered ineligible for UI benefits if they determine you refused work (there are some conditions that apply though). I am not sure if that provision only applies to full-time work.