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jake_dannon · Newbie Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 1 Career Advice: +0/-0

Hi, I have been working down in California for the past six months. My job was a seasonal position that was supposed to end at the beginning of September. More work has surfaced, and I am being asked to stick around until late October or even into November.

My grandmother has Altzheimer's and my mother, brother and I have been caring for her for the past few years. I promised my mom and brother that I would be back by no later than October 1st to help out with her care. My brother has been caring for her ever since I left town and is now quite irritated (rightfully so) that I am delaying my return date.

I am going to have to "quit" my job while there are still anywhere from 4-6 weeks worth of work left. I really wanted to stay and be laid off so I could collect unemployment while looking for a new job when I get back home in Oregon.

Would I still be eligible since I have a reason for "quitting"? This was supposed to be a 1039 job, anyways, and I will have worked 1039 hours by October 1st.

Thanks a lot for any advice or help.

Pauloz · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:22 am Post subject:

jake_dannon

This would be at best a toss-up in terms of eligibility. I don't think that there's much room for maneuver in terms of the usual US unemployment requirements.

There may be some other social security entitlement for carers, although from a quick search of both Oregon and California, I didn't see any. Your benefits would be sourced from California, so there may, possibly/maybe, be an avenue through UC there.

I'm wary of advising people to do something which means loss of work, and perhaps more problems down the track. Particularly now, when work's so hard to find. We've had a few people on the site where these family things have tangled up their working lives pretty severely, sometimes for years.

The best result would be something where you don't have to walk off a financial cliff in the process. Is it possible for you to contribute something from there, for instance, help pay for a part time carer, to take the load off your brother, or some other arrangement? That way you could at least know you're contributing, and cover the issues at the other end.

Some counties, if they have the budget, also provide services which might help, if they're reliable and good enough. Things like Meals on Wheels, housekeeping, etc. can reduce the load on your family. The local Rotary Club and support groups might have a few clues, too.

This is the Alzheimer's Association in Oregon: http://www.alz.org/oregon/
Might be worth a look for support services, advice, etc.

Hope that helps,

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