On jobless benefits and afraid to accept a week to week temp job (collecting, receive)

[Jobless and Broke]

As my handle says I am jobless and broke. My only income is a check for $359 a week in unemployment benefits.

I was offered a TEMPORARY job at $25 an hour thirty hours a week, so I won't be working full time but will be making more than the $359 I am making in jobless benefits. Trouble is I am filling in for someone who is sick and it is a week to week arrangement. As soon as she gets better and is able to go back to work I am out and will join the ranks of the unemployed again.

I am scared to death that after a few weeks of temp work the people at the unemployment office will drop me as an active participant, because I will indicate on the online form that I worked, and I will have to re-apply for benefits when the temp gig ends, and by the time that get a hold of the place that is using me as a temp and handle the processes and procedures to get me back on my original claim many weeks will pass without money coming in.

Does "the system" make it better for me to turn down this temp job and just keep collecting jobless benefits until they run out or I find a regular status position. Advice?

[Pammyd]

Originally Posted by Jobless and Broke

As my handle says I am jobless and broke. My only income is a check for $359 a week in unemployment benefits.I was offered a TEMPORARY job at $25 an hour thirty hours a week, so I won't be working full time but will be making more than the $359 I am making in jobless benefits. Trouble is I am filling in for someone who is sick and it is a week to week arrangement. As soon as she gets better and is able to go back to work I am out and will join the ranks of the unemployed again.I am scared to death that after a few weeks of temp work the people at the unemployment office will drop me as an active participant, because I will indicate on the online form that I worked, and I will have to re-apply for benefits when the temp gig ends, and by the time that get a hold of the place that is using me as a temp and handle the processes and procedures to get me back on my original claim many weeks will pass without money coming in.Does "the system" make it better for me to turn down this temp job and just keep collecting jobless benefits until they run out or I find a regular status position. Advice?

I think if I am not mistaken, if you turn down work then unemployment can penalize you for refusing work. Isn't one of the questions they ask "Did you refuse work this week?". Talk with someone at unemployment and voice your concerns about the disruption of your benefits from them. I am sure you will find that once you are done with the temp work, your benefits will start up pretty quick.

A little suggestion. While you are temping, put some money aside for the transition from temp work to unemployment..if there is one. Who knows, perhaps you will get hired in the interim?? I worked temp jobs a few years back and ended up working at one place almost 10 years! It does happen. Good luck.

[ajd96813]

At first I was not sure why you would want to turn down $750 a week in lieu of $359 per week? I see now why you are questioning. But that is twice the amount. Like the other poster said, save half of it. I get that it's temporary, but I understand you can re open your claim when this role goes away. Or is this a legit temp job where they are paying into UI insurance? I think that is something you'd have to figure out. Or is it under the table type of work? I do not know how that would affect it. There are other more knowledgeable people on this board than I ...

I'm in a similar position. I was collecting. Took a temp job (had to as it was from the agency I initially filed against after a 1.5 year stint) and just re opened my claim last week and am awaiting benefits to resume.I would probably only take a temp job that was from an agency that paid into UI.

I would be interested in what others say too. There's such a big gap between the UI amount you are collecting vs. the temp pay (and no guarantee how long that may last..which could be a week). My UI amount is pretty much what I am earning/have earned lately in temping. So it's not a big difference.

[PJ1252]

You should accept the job as not to would be a violation. I'm not sure what state your in but in Connecticut you would not permanently loose those benefits they would just be suspended until your unemployed again at which time the unemployment benefits will start again. A little additional money never hurt anyone.

[Chyvan]

You didn't say what the job duties are, but generally, by it's very nature, temp work is NOT the "prevailing condition of work." Because it pays less, has no benefits, and in this case is not 40 hours/wk, it can be refused as unsuitable.

Let's clear up the myth that has been repeated twice is this thread: You can absolutely refuse unsuitable work.

[pvande55]

Unless it is a dangerous job you would be fool to refuse it. Every week you work gets added on to your benefit year so it may last longer. Weeks of unemployment compensation are like gold, don't squander them.

[NickL28]

Originally Posted by Chyvan

You didn't say what the job duties are, but generally, by it's very nature, temp work is NOT the "prevailing condition of work." Because it pays less, has no benefits, and in this case is not 40 hours/wk, it can be refused as unsuitable.

Let's clear up the myth that has been repeated twice is this thread: You can absolutely refuse unsuitable work.

Yes, because collecting unemployment benefits looks so much better right?? $25 an hour is not $10 an hour plus temp assignments typically last much longer than what is planned initially.

[Chyvan]

You think working a temp job when someone is out sick is going to be the key to success?

As posted, this job looks like three weeks at best. When you're getting UI each subsequent job is another determination, and potential disqualification for reasons you didn't even think were possible.

Unless the job completely gets you off the UI system, it's not worth taking. This idea of extending benefits carriers a risk. It's not some no-brainer decision.

[thebunny]

Originally Posted by NickL28

Yes, because collecting unemployment benefits looks so much better right?? $25 an hour is not $10 an hour plus temp assignments typically last much longer than what is planned initially.

In OP's case, the UI benefits may be a better option.

Yes, it looks great on paper to take a temp job. But let's say OP was in CA, where I am.

Week 1: He takes the temp job. He reports his earnings as, while not full time, over the weekly benefit. As he is not full time, CA will most likely (but not always, sort of depends on how much he actually makes) keep his benefits active.

Week 2: OP reports the earnings. After 2 weeks in CA of the claim not being paid, CA assumes you have a job and closes/suspends the claim. (I don't recall which term CA actually uses, and as they both mean the same thing, it matters not.) OP is fine, he is still working for the temp job.

Week 3: OP works. He does not get a claim form from CA as his benefits are on hold.

Week 4: The employee is scheduled to retunr to work Tuesday OP is let go from the temp job and calls CA. He is paid for Monday and Monday only. He restarts his claim by calling EDD.

Week 5: No job and no money from EDD. His previous employer must be contacted to verify the reason he is no longer working. The employer must be contacted and unless he was laid off the company is given an opportunity to respond to the claim, and well, a temp assignment ending is VERY OFTEN reported as a "quit" by the temp agency. Or, maybe the person was not yet back from sick leave, but the company did not like OP. Now he has been fired. Or, let's say he has a family emergency come up and he has to leave the company, well now he just quit.

Week 6: (2nd full week with no money coming in) EDD paperwork appears scheduling the phone interview for the middle of next week. EDD phone interviews are generally 16-18 days after filing a claim. They will investigate the reason he left the work, they will attempt to get him to disqualify himself by asking things like "what was the incident that happened immediately prior to the termination/quit" etc.

Week 7: 3rd full week with no money coming in. Phone interview happens. EDD informs OP a decision will be made within 10 days, and he needs to continue claiming for benefits, but he is not being paid. And that he will receive a letter in the mail with the determination, or money.

Week 8: 4th full week with no money. At this point OP has been supporting himself on the money left over from the temp job for longer than he had the actual job. Oh, this week he will likely get paid. Hopefully all the bills were nice enough to wait the month it took him to get the money,

So, no. The OP is not necessarily better off.