Free Career and Job Search Advice

[thisismyname]

I just received word today that the company I work full time for (in Michigan) will be going out of business at the end of the week. I have a part time job that I work a few hours a week at. From what I can tell I won't be making much more working part time and collecting partial unemployment benefits than if I just had the full unemployment, and if I factor gas/car insurance its probably a wash.

My questions are, can I quit my part time job and still collect unemployment? Do I have to quit before the last day I work my full time job, or could I quit at any point and go from partial to full benefits?

Any help would be appreciated.

[lexa10881]

Yours is a tough question. I think it would be like any other time and if you quit, then you are ineligible. It would really depend on MI laws,a nd the best resource might be to check out their site or call, and see if you can get any information that is specific to your case. I would think that quitting the job, regardless of having worked the other job, would render you ineligible.

http://www.cvtips.com/michigan_unemployment_benefits.html

[botweety]

This is a mistake many people make when they are working both a full-time job and a part-time job. They believe it is worthless to continue working the part-time job and come up with various reasons why, such as gas, time, etc. But why do you want to quit anyway? Aren't you working the part-time job while working the full-time job? I' no expert on Michigan laws but they are similar in all states. Here in PA when you collect unemployment benefits you are allowed to make 40% of your weekly benefit allowance while working part-time and still collect your entire check. Even if you make more than that 40%, it is still icing on the cake. Think of it, you are now making more money working less hours. And if you do quit the part-time job, you will probably have charges against your benefits just as if you were working anyway. At least you would in PA!

Keep the part-time job and collect benefits from your full-time job that you lost through no fault of your own.

Jack

[lexa10881]

Botweety entioned something about unemployment that I was not aware of; thanks and I will try to remember. Yes, usually the biggest thigns about filing for unemployment are if you are unemployed and it is not your fault and sometimes you have to work a minimum number of weeks to qualify. Keep that in mind, check out the state's site directly or call them if you need to:

http://www.cvtips.com/michigan_unemployment_benefits.html

[thisismyname]

I really wanted to quit because I was already planning on quitting before I found out I was going to lose my full time job. I am not happy at all working there (which I know isn't an excuse to quit and still collect unemployment), and now when I factor in how much more I am making there versus if I just got my unemployment it comes out to be an hourly wage less than minimum wage. In Michigan you lose $.50 of benefit for every dollar you earn, at least thats how I understand it. Plus they like to schedule me for short shifts so I have to drive in to work for only 2-3 hours sometimes, which makes it not worth it. If it wouldn't screw my unemployment up I would happily find a closer part time job that I enjoy doing, at least until I find another full time employer in my line of work.

So, at least for now, I am going to remain working there, because it appears my hands are tied. I guess the thing that I don't understand is why a job which wouldn't qualify me for unemployment can disqualify me.

[msb8977]

I just wanted to verify that if I am getting the full $520/wk, then I can work part time and make 40% or less of my weekly benefit and still get the full amount? Is this correct? I would therefore be able to make $208/wk at a part time job?

I appreciate you clearing this up for me. I look forward to hearing from you.


Thanks!

MSB