After 5 months collecting unemployment finally found a job. It's a temp job, no benefits, $14/hour. Should I take it? (collect, extension)

[dazedandconf]

Needless to say if I take that job I would make less money than I currently make collecting unemployment benefits and on top of that I *suppose* that I would lose my health insurance which I currently get for free courtesy of the state I live in. Given that the job is temporary (3 months assignment), I won't be receiving any health insurance through them.

I need to know:

A) Once I take that job will I lose my current health insurance and be forced to pay for insurance with my own money?

B) Once the temporary assignment ends, will I be able to continue collecting unemployment benefits if I find myself once again unemployed?

[gck1018]

That's a tough call. is there even a chance that this 3 months could lead to a perm position? I will tell you this, I was in your position early on when I got laid off and turned down the job due to pay but, here I am over a year later and still can't find a full time job. Not an easy decision. Good luck!

[nojobLB]

If there is even a chance that the job can turn permanent take it. Remember this is most likely the last year of unemployment being extended so long.

[bobtn]

Are you getting interviews often, as in >1 per month, and reaching second interviews at least a few times in 5 months? If not, often temp can lead to perm, and even if spot does not perm, if they like your work ethic and other depts needing similar skill sets get openings, you could perm. And yes, after 2011, I'd bet ui is back at 26 weeks max. Michigan went to 20, Florida is about to go to 12.

[dazedandconf]

Originally Posted by bobtn

Are you getting interviews often, as in >1 per month, and reaching second interviews at least a few times in 5 months?

2 in-person interviews in the last 5 months with employers. 3-4 informal on the phone interviews with recruiters.

If not, often temp can lead to perm, and even if spot does not perm, if they like your work ethic and other depts needing similar skill sets get openings, you could perm.

Yeah, the problem is that the job is unrelated to what I used to do for a living. It's just an office job where I'd be required to perform general office duties.

And yes, after 2011, I'd bet ui is back at 26 weeks max. Michigan went to 20, Florida is about to go to 12.

After 2011... Well, I am reaching 6 months of UI next month. So that means that if I get the extension I could theoretically collect until Dec 31st, 2011?

Also what happens if I take the temp job and after it ends I once again find myself unemployed? Can I continue collecting for the remaining amount of time I would have been able to continue collecting if I hadn't taken the temp job?

[bobtn]

Check with ui; I'm sure you can collect if it ends through no fault of yours.

What did you formerly do (line of work)?

[dazedandconf]

Originally Posted by bobtn

check with ui; i'm sure you can collect if it ends through no fault of yours.

What did you formerly do (line of work)?

it

[ReturningWest]

Take it, it could lead to something else. You can reinstate your benefits once your temp gig ends.

I'm not sure about your health insurance, is it cobra or a private provider? I think you can keep your cobra if your working a temp gig where no other insurance is offered but you'd need to call to find out.

[dazedandconf]

Originally Posted by ReturningWest

Take it, it could lead to something else. You can reinstate your benefits once your temp gig ends.

I'm not sure about your health insurance, is it cobra or a private provider? I think you can keep your cobra if your working a temp gig where no other insurance is offered but you'd need to call to find out.

It's not Cobra. I get it through the state. I pay nothing. I don't even have to make a copayment when I see a doctor. I pay only a couple of bucks for meds.

[bobtn]

Check with your state agency that administers it. Laws vary wildly by state.