unemployment pay versus low temp work (file, claim, payment, money)

[saffron07]

I have just started receiving $405 a week unemployment, but I just got a call for a temp job that would be $15 an hour for only 4 days.... it adds up after taxes taken out to not much more. Would it benefit me just to take unemployment and have the week free for "real job" interviews if they come up? or should I take the temp job and walk away with an extra 50 in my pocket? or keep the week free?
confused- never been on unemployment before and I'm still nervous that it works!

[GypsySoul22]

I think if you don't use the unemployment benefits, I say take the job for the experience. You might make a connection toward a full time job.

[malone7384]

Keep one thing in mind too - if the agency wants to press it and you decline the offer - they can make it affect your unemployment.

[findingmesomeday]

I have to chime in because this attitude drives me crazy. I'm dealing with it from my husband right now.

I can't understand how someone would prefer to be home all day rather than out doing something. I think it's a great idea to get out of the house. It will do your mental outlook some good. And check with your local UI office. We're in MA and my husband gets $600/wk (the max before it was raised to $618). He can make up to 1/3 the weekly amount before they start reducing his benefits dollar for dollar. So that means he can earn up to $200/wk at a part time job and still keep the $600. But instead of going out and working a $10-15/hr job, he'll tell me that he's making the equivalent of $20/hr on UI so why bother? Why bother?????? Well, every penny counts. An extra $200/wk means an extra $800/month! And even if he went over the $200/wk, it would still be ok. Anything you do to reduce your UI benefit just extends the benefit. So if your temp job ends, you go back to your benefits.

[MomOfToo]

I would take the temp job and still look for work-KWIM? Its easier to get a job while you are still working and also you never know, you might like the company you are temping for and get a permanent job there as well. Yo umight learn something new and something else to ad to you resume. Good luck and update us!

[nat_at772]

Also you won't get unemployment benefits for the 4 days that you work - so basically you'll still have that money there if you don't find anything right away. My mom did this for about 8 months. A temp job would pop up for 2 -3 weeks and she would take it and then when it ends she would file unemployment again. She never had to do that first week without payment thing again (which is what they do in FL) because she kept claiming her weeks but she would put that she did earn money so it kept her in the system. The temp agency always calls her though so i'm sure the fact that she takes these little here and there jobs works in her favor.