Massachusetts - extended benefit payment amount, part-time work, and temp. "unable to work" questions (collect, receive)

[abostonmama]

I've just learned that I have exhausted the benefits of my claim, and since I'm still unemployed I plan to apply for extended benefits.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if being approved for extended benefits continues to pay the same benefit amount as you were originally getting, or if it's recalculated? Under what circumstances will the benefit amount change?

I'm asking because before I was laid off I was working two jobs for several years, shortly after being laid off I lost my second job when it went out of business. I've only been able to find part time work, but its so irregular (maybe 4 hours every other 2nd or 3rd week) and if my benefits are recalculated based on that amount I'd be screwed. Any advice? When I got the part time job and asked about hours they said it would be 8-16 per week...honestly I'd like to quit since its barely worth it for me to go there and get my schedule every week only to find out I don't have any hours, but I probably can't do that and still collect unemployment right? I was hoping that being employed part-time would help me find another full-time job, but now it just seems like a mistake.

Also, I'm going to be unable to work for about 2 weeks next month for medical reasons, and I'm afraid that when I report that on my weekly claim it will trigger a review or something that could reduce my benefit amount. Any experience with reporting you were unable to work?

[Ariadne22]

You will receive the same amount on extended benefits as your original claim.

Before you are granted extended benefits, however, MA will reevaluate your earnings to see if you qualify for a new state claim. If you do and the benefits are lower than your original claim by $100 or 25%, under HR4213, your new state claim can be deferred and payments under the original claim continue.

Quitting the part-time job is not advisable as it will open an investigation.

Your claim will be closed if you do not claim benefits for two weeks. It can be reopened when you are once again available for work.

However, prior to your medical leave, you probably should call MA. MA does pay dependent, disability and pregnancy benefits. They may be able to switch you to a disability benefit while you deal with your medical issues. I know they pay benefits to pregnant women under their disability classification. Hopefully, they can accommodate a simple medical event.

[datacity12]

Originally Posted by abostonmama

Also, I'm going to be unable to work for about 2 weeks next month for medical reasons, and I'm afraid that when I report that on my weekly claim it will trigger a review or something that could reduce my benefit amount. Any experience with reporting you were unable to work?

Why report it at all? I wouldn't even risk it!

[abostonmama]

Originally Posted by datacity12

Why report it at all? I wouldn't even risk it!

I am having a baby so I definitely won't be able to work for a couple of weeks, if everything goes well. I'd much rather lose a couple weeks of benefits than commit some kind of fraud (and risk getting caught).


I just want to do the right thing without having my benefit drop to $10 per week because I found a part time job that doesn't give me any hours. I am nervous about having the claim close and have to reopen but I don't want to risk lying about it.

[abostonmama]

Originally Posted by Ariadne22

You will receive the same amount on extended benefits as your original claim.

Before you are granted extended benefits, however, MA will reevaluate your earnings to see if you qualify for a new state claim. If you do and the benefits are lower than your original claim by $100 or 25%, under HR4213, your new state claim can be deferred and payments under the original claim continue.

Quitting the part-time job is not advisable as it will open an investigation.

Your claim will be closed if you do not claim benefits for two weeks. It can be reopened when you are once again available for work.

However, prior to your medical leave, you probably should call MA. MA does pay dependent, disability and pregnancy benefits. They may be able to switch you to a disability benefit while you deal with your medical issues. I know they pay benefits to pregnant women under their disability classification. Hopefully, they can accommodate a simple medical event.

Thanks for the response. This makes me feel a lot better since if my benefit amount was recalculated it would definitely be lower than my original claim by $100/25%.

When you say to call MA before my medical leave, do you mean unemployment? Pregnancy is the issue I'm dealing with...do you know any more details about the benefits available for pregnant women?

[Ariadne22]

Originally Posted by abostonmama

Thanks for the response. This makes me feel a lot better since if my benefit amount was recalculated it would definitely be lower than my original claim by $100/25%.

When you say to call MA before my medical leave, do you mean unemployment? Pregnancy is the issue I'm dealing with...do you know any more details about the benefits available for pregnant women?

My apologies. I think I misremembered the conversation on this board. I was able to find a discussion on NJ disability, couched in these terms on the NJ website, but according to claimants covers pregnancy. Who knew?

If you have an unemployment insurance claim and become disabled while unemployed during the benefit year (a benefit year is one year minus two days period beginning from the date of the claim.), you may be paid Disability During Unemployment benefits against that claim. In general you will receive the same weekly benefit rate as you were receiving on your unemployment insurance claim. The maximum that you can collect in unemployment insurance and Disability During Unemployment combined is one and one-half times the maximum benefit amount on your claim. If you do not have a current unemployment insurance claim, the filing of a valid Disability During Unemployment claim will start a benefit year for you.

Department of Labor and Workforce Development | Benefit Calculations - Disability During Unemployment

New Jersey discussion you may find interesting:

//www.city-data.com/forum/unemp...l#post15901040

I haven't been able to locate anything on MA disability. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Call the MA unemployment office and explain your situation. MA has very liberal benefits and, similar to NJ, may also have a short-term disability benefit to cover your situation. Also, at the very least, you might qualify for a dependent benefit after the birth of the child.

If you are eligible for UI benefits in Massachusetts, you will receive a weekly payment for the prior week’s benefit. If you have children, you may be eligible to receive an additional $25 per child per week up to a maximum of 1/2 of your weekly benefit amount.

Overview of Unemployment Benefits (http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=elwdterminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Claimants&L2=U nemployment+Insurance+%28UI%29&sid=Elwd&b=terminal content&f=dua_initial_claim_benefits_overview&csid =Elwd - broken link)

Good luck.

[abostonmama]

I wanted to update here with my recent unemployment experience. I had a baby last month and answered "No" to the second question on my weekly certification form, "were you willing and able to work". I had spoken to someone at unemployment the week before and was told to just answer no, and start answering yes again once I was able to work again. Unfortunately it wasn't that simple.

When I started answering yes again, I continued to get the same message displayed when I answer no, something about calling unemployment to verify my eligibility. It took a few days for me to get through to them, and when I did I was told that I should have just not claimed anything for the weeks I was unable to work, because now I have to wait for someone from unemployment to call me and take a statement to determine my eligibility.

That was 6 days ago and I haven't heard from anyone yet. I've tempted to call again tomorrow, but I don't want to be a nuisance. Hopefully they call soon and I will be able to collect for the past couple of weeks I've been able to work.

[datacity12]

Unbelievable. I hope this gets straightened out for you soon. I think of my unemployment benefits as a house of cards - any false move will cause all the cards to fall down and I'll have to start from scratch again.

[MARTY FISH]

Originally Posted by abostonmama

I am having a baby so I definitely won't be able to work for a couple of weeks, if everything goes well. I'd much rather lose a couple weeks of benefits than commit some kind of fraud (and risk getting caught).


I just want to do the right thing without having my benefit drop to $10 per week because I found a part time job that doesn't give me any hours. I am nervous about having the claim close and have to reopen but I don't want to risk lying about it.

Do yourself a favor and keep your mouth shut...just apply to 5-6 jobs Every Week..chances are nobody will call back anyway and claim you were able to work..seriously..who will notice? Dont open a can of worms youll never be able to close again..many of my friends went through this...shut up and keep claiming, i got many friends who have done this For Long!

[MARTY FISH]

Originally Posted by Ariadne22

My apologies. I think I misremembered the conversation on this board. I was able to find a discussion on NJ disability, couched in these terms on the NJ website, but according to claimants covers pregnancy. Who knew?
Department of Labor and Workforce Development | Benefit Calculations - Disability During Unemployment

New Jersey discussion you may find interesting:

//www.city-data.com/forum/unemp...l#post15901040

I haven't been able to locate anything on MA disability. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Call the MA unemployment office and explain your situation. MA has very liberal benefits and, similar to NJ, may also have a short-term disability benefit to cover your situation. Also, at the very least, you might qualify for a dependent benefit after the birth of the child.

Overview of Unemployment Benefits (http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=elwdterminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Claimants&L2=U nemployment+Insurance+%28UI%29&sid=Elwd&b=terminal content&f=dua_initial_claim_benefits_overview&csid =Elwd - broken link)

Good luck.

Sorry, it doesn't exist. Only 5 states provide state disability. NJ, NY, RI, CA, HI. In the other 45, one can either purchase private such insurance, or there is the final safety net, SS Disability. The 5 states mentioned above provide mandatory state disability, in most cases Funded by employee's Contributions. Best Of Luck. As i stated in another post, though..best to keep quiet and keep claiming as usual...Be practical.