# Ask the Unemployment guy **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 29, 2002, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445 "2002-11-29T04:04:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/41 "2003-02-05T01:39:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > \*\*Here’s one from California. (I have very little – and no recent – experience with unemployment insurance.) > > I hate living in California, but I’m a native. I’ve applied to many positions in Washington state, but I’ve been getting signals that it’s extremely difficult to get a job there unless you live there. (Little things like “Puget Sound applicants preferred”, and anecdotal evidence from acquaintances.) It seems the only way to find a job in Washington would be to move to Washington. Unfortunately, my employer has decided there will be no more lay-offs in the foreseeable future, and one woman I work with who asked to be laid off (new baby) was refused. And although I could do my job remotely (it’s all computer-based, and I’ve cleverly arranged to rid the department of printouts – saving about $20,00 the first year), Management is loth to allow me to relocate to a desk in the Washington office – let alone a home office. > > So the question is this: Is there a way to voluntarily quit my job in California so that I can pursue a position up north, and also be elegible for California unemployment payments; or am I a virtual prisoner unless and until lay-offs come again? \*\* I do not know California’s regulations but if you are a New Jersey resident who was asking me I would tell you that if you voluntary leave your job, you are ineligable to collect unemployment (there are some exceptions) If you suddely started fouling up at work and were let go for poor work performance but you didn’t foul up enough to be considered misconduct you could collect unemployment. At least that is how it is in New Jersey. Or if they offer a toll out route you can do the following 1. Quit your job and move to Washington State 2. Get a job in Fast Food 3. Work there long enough to overcome your quit ( In New Jersey it is a combination of at least 4 weeks AND 6 times your weekly benefit rate) 4. Lose that job though a way that lets you collect unemployment then you can file against your original employer. Hope this helps, and again I am not speaking in any offical capacity ---
**Author:** ![suezeekay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@suezeekay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suezeekay)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/42 "2003-02-16T05:14:13Z")
Manny, if you are fired and eligible to collect unemployment (according to what I read on the CT site I don’t fit into any of the disallowed categories) when do you start getting checks? I have a routine hearing scheduled for March 3, but I need income before that. The guy on the phone did tell me to start calling in this sunday. Does that mean anything re: getting a check? I wasn’t notified until today I’m officially fired so I don’t have a pink slip yet (but I did file as soon as I was supended a couple of days ago); and, I am a student, my job fit in fine with my 4 current classes. I can probably get a job with a schedule that accomodates the classes like the one I was fired from, but if not am I supposed to be willing to work anywhere? To go from $40,000 a year to McDonald’s? What do you suggest I say to the unemployment person at the meeting? what are they looking for re: a student? I know you said before \<20 hours was okay, but I’m not sure CT sees it that way. How would you explain it in my situation so that it sounds like I’m available to work full-time (which I am). I just run into trouble if they expect me to take any 8-5 that comes along. As long as I stay in my field, which I have been for the last five years at the same place, the school hours should allow me to work full-time as usual. Will I be given the luxury of holding out for a job in my field, which shouldn’t take long, hopefully. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/43 "2003-02-16T05:36:45Z")
No questions, but I’d like to thank MannyL for an interesting and informative thread. It can be stressful and frustrating to ask these questions officially. It’s nice of you to take the time to do this here. 'Course, I’m Canadian, and we Canadians fear folks from New Jersey. ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/44 "2003-02-18T17:53:51Z")
Suzeekay sorry I didn’t respond sooner but I do not have the same level of internet access in Flordia as I do in NJ (Thank god for Kinko’s) I do not know if CT has a waiting week if thye do, the first week you are eligible for you do not get paid for at the beginning. NJ used to have a waiting week but we stopped that for the time beinging. In New Jersey you would call back to claim benefits one or two weeks after you filed your claim to claim the previous weeks CT may be the same so when you were told to call in Sunday that should start your first check. Depending on how they handle the student issue they may hold your checks until that meeting I can not say. I can say that if the field you work in normally has jobs that are not the hours you go to school (think a wait person who can work full time nights) it is not an issue. Disclaimer\*\*\* I do not work for your states Unemployment department, and opinions given are what I think will happen not necissarly what will happen \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/45 "2003-08-06T05:52:48Z")
I want to resurrect this thread because it’s damn pertinent to my situation. I just got my first unemployment check. A few days later, I got a new job. Is there any advantage to NOT cashing the check? That would make it as if I never filed, and if I don’t need to dip into those benefits, maybe it’s good that I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![DoubleJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@DoubleJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoubleJ)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/46 "2003-08-06T13:31:19Z")
I’m not an expert by any means, but I don’t see any reason not to cash the check – the state will still send you the tax info at the end of the year and you’ll still have to pay the taxes on it, so you might as well just take the money that was due to you. And good luck in the new job. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/47 "2003-08-06T14:20:43Z")
I’m in Indiana, BTW. When does unemployment end? When I accept a job offer, or the day I show up for the job? ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/48 "2003-08-06T22:47:22Z")
Snoopy, glad to hear you found employment. In New Jersey, UI is two weeks behind. This week we are paying weeks ending 7/26 and 8/2 so if you starting working yesterday you could still claim both weeks. If it is the same where you are, then you may be eligable for the check. If you don’t want the money, call your UI office and tell them you want the claim canceled. If you don’t do that the claim will remain open and if you lose this job you may not have enough time to collect the full claim. If you cancel the claim then the funds go back for re-use and the clock acts like it never started. ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/49 "2003-08-06T23:01:03Z")
vunderbob, In New Jersey you can receive unemployment up to the week that you work more than 32 hours or earn more than your Partial Benefit Rate ---
**Author:** ![clarkcompanero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@clarkcompanero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clarkcompanero)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2010, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/50 "2010-09-22T14:28:31Z")
I was previously working for a company making 800 until february when i was fired. I applied for Unemployment Benefits that month but was rejected. I got a job making 2000 a month right after that and worked for 4 months and was laid off. I applied for unemployment and was accepted, however they just reopened the orrigional claim based on my 800 a month job. My question is if and when I file for an extension, will they just keep the 800 a month job as their basis, or will they include the larger paying job in the new equation. and if that is so, could I essentially just file a new claim so i could collect from the higher paying job instead of filing an extension. i am only getting 104 a week when i was going to get 259 a week which is about 600 less a month. I hav a wife and kid, and cannot find work, and need to know what will happen this coming february when my ui benefits are exhausted.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/51 "2010-09-22T17:10:10Z")
> [@MannyL](#): > > truthbot, I would look into for her , or have her look into the requirements for disibiality. If you were to lay her off while she was able and available to work she could collect unemployment until she was too ill to be able and available for work. If she is on disability she can collect until her doctor says she is able to return to work. Are there state-based disability funds? I know that it’s VERY tough to get Social Security disability (as our own doper Quasimodem is finding :(). What if someone is on unemployment but then becomes sick? Is there any kind of automatic extension / transition to a disability plan? My brother-in-law was laid off, then a few weeks later diagnosed with cancer, and I seem to recall that he had some kind of benefits that lasted longer than regular unemployment. But I don’t know the details, and I know it was nowhere near enough to actually cover his bills. This was in New Jersey in the early 1990s. ---
**Author:** ![BECKYJM37](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BECKYJM37](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BECKYJM37)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2011, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/52 "2011-03-21T00:44:17Z")
every year my company has a slow time and we are allowed to claim unemployment benefits well this year slow time is a bit early and my claim is still good i just need to reopen it can i reopen it any time ? even if im still working full time or do i have to wait to reopen it when im loosing hours and wait a full waiting week. i want to reopen now so im ready for when hours are cut short. ---
**Author:** ![Alligator13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8491ac/32.png) [@Alligator13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alligator13)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/53 "2011-12-09T09:34:29Z")
Hi there. I was laid off after 1 year of teaching in NJ. I was able to collect. In the new school year, I was offered occasional substitute teacher work. I have been doing that part time and continuing to claim my benefits with no problems. So far, I have never worked more than 32 hours. Next week, my school informed me that they may have 5 days of work, which would put me over the 32 hours. What will happen when I claim that week? Will I just not get benefits for that week only? Will things resume normally for the following claim period since I will most likely not be working a full week again or does everything all of a sudden stop? ---
**Author:** ![elninost0rm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ed655f/32.png) [@elninost0rm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elninost0rm)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/54 "2011-12-09T13:53:10Z")
Interesting that this post was actually revived TWICE with both intervals being a year or more. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/55 "2011-12-09T14:44:36Z")
Manny: Every person I’ve known on unemployment – Every. Single. One. – does not spend their time looking for a job. They lie to the agency that they’re looking for a job, and spend their days sleeping in late and playing video games. When their unemployment runs out, they magically find a job. Makes me sick; what an abuse. What can be done to minimize this from happening? ---
**Author:** ![miketodd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@miketodd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miketodd)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/56 "2011-12-28T12:12:58Z")
Hi, Starting January 2, 2011 I will be substituting full time in NJ under contract for a teacher out on Maternity leave. My contract goes until June 30, 2012 which is the end of the school year. Will I be able to apply for unemployment insurance once my contract is not renewed on or around June 30th for the following year? I’m listed by them as a temp because the teacher is expected to come back full time in Sept 2012 for the following school year. ---
**Author:** ![miketodd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@miketodd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miketodd)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/57 "2011-12-28T12:20:06Z")
> [@miketodd](#): > > Hi, Starting January 2, 2011 I will be substituting full time in NJ under contract for a teacher out on Maternity leave. My contract goes until June 30, 2012 which is the end of the school year. Will I be able to apply for unemployment insurance once my contract is not renewed on or around June 30th for the following year? > > I’m listed by them as a temp because the teacher is expected to come back full time in Sept 2012 for the following school year. In addition, I have been on unemployment since June 2010 from teaching. My tier 4 benefits has 1200 dollars left. My understanding was I would apply for EBB benefits in NJ for an additional 20 weeks if I hadn’t found this job. ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/58 "2012-01-01T23:04:42Z")
Sorry although I had create this thread I am not able to provide nay more info due to work regulations. ---
**Author:** ![Rocaveli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/82dd89/32.png) [@Rocaveli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocaveli)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445/59 "2015-02-05T04:02:32Z")
I recently applied for unemployment, had my phone interview, and was waiting for a determination in the mail. They are now requesting a “monetary interview”. I have never heard of this. Why are they requesting a monetary interview and what should I expect during the interview? Also, I am in NJ. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-unemployment-guy/139445.md?page=2)