Follow The UI Rules
It is highly beneficial to read the state’s unemployment insurance rules prior to accepting any assignments. Also, trusting the advice of unemployment insurance office staff is a strict no-no. They just follow the rules and intend to disburse as less claims as possible – thus limiting your benefits. Whereas in case you are involved in any work part-time and are collecting partial benefits, be accurate in reporting any income as the benefits may be ceased immediately on non-disclosure.
Part-Time Job Nullify Unemployment Benefits
Part-time work can not only affect your present year benefits, but can also reduce your benefits next year. For instance, if you’re laid off from employment where you earned $5,000 a month and your unemployment compensation is $2,000 a month. You then opt for part-time work and earn $1,000 a month this year. Next year, your unemployment benefits will rely on the total you made the previous year -- $1,000 a month instead of the $4,000 a month you earned working full-time.
Volunteer Duty Leaves You Occupied
The volunteer work that you might want to indulge into, shouldn’t mess about with your job search or with the days and hours you’re willing to work. While you intend to volunteer, reading your state’s rules’ can give you a better idea for the unemployment benefits. For example, in New York, you must work for a charitable, religious or cultural organization; take no payment; and have no prospect of being employed by the organization.
Contractors, Self-Employed May Lose Money
States deal with self-employment in a different way. A contractual position or commencement of a new business may make you self-employed businessmen and prohibiting the unemployment benefits. Your benefits may be stopped regardless of the fact that you are making profits of not.
While some states let you avail benefits during business start-up, others may allow you to reap benefits while being self-employed part-time, but may stop them if you work for yourself full-time, not considering your income, if any. Apart, some states may consider a contractor as a self-employed, turning you ineligible for benefits. In some other states, the employer may regard you as a contractor, but in case you’re supervised, directed and controlled by the employer, the state will consider you an employee. In such a scenario you will be eligible for unemployment benefits when you leave the job.
So knowing your state’s rules is a must before venturing into part-time, volunteer or self-employment.
