Can I Work Part-Time And Still Receive Unemployment Benefits

Can I Work Part-Time And Still Receive Unemployment Benefits

Can I work part-time and still receive unemployment benefits? Benefits for the unemployed are meant to bridge the temporary income gap caused by a job loss that happened to them without any of their fault. When they need full-time work to cover their expenditures and preserve financial security, some persons who have been laid off end up with reduced hours or can only find part-time employment.

Partial unemployment benefits are provided to encourage workers to continue working part-time while looking for full-time employment. Depending on where you live, employees who have lost part-time jobs may also be able to access them.

For instance, if you worked less than full-time and earned less during a week than your weekly benefit amount, you may be eligible for partial unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania. However, you might not receive an amount greater than your weekly benefit.

You must be open to employment and actively looking for it in order to qualify for partial benefits. Because qualifying requirements and benefits might vary from state to state, you should confirm the specifics that relate to your situation with the unemployment office in your state.

Who Qualifies for Partial Unemployment

You would frequently not be eligible for partial unemployment benefits if you cut back on your working hours for personal or family reasons. The eligibility requirements in your area must be confirmed with your state department of labor office, though, as state restrictions vary.

• People who have had their work hours reduced without their consent or fault, such as when a business is sold, liquidated, or restructured, typically qualify for partial compensation.
• Additionally, several states offer benefits to people who have lost their full-time jobs and have started working part-time jobs to make up for their lost income. Even persons who lost one of two or more part-time employment while working several part-time jobs are covered in some areas.
• The majority of those who are placed on “zero-hour schedules” but aren’t formally laid off or fired are eligible for unemployment benefits, according to Andrew Stettner, a senior fellow at The Century Foundation.

The requirements for eligibility vary by state. Employees who, for example, lost their full-time jobs in Georgia but now have part-time jobs and make less than their weekly benefit amount are eligible. Employees may also be eligible for unemployment benefits if they lose their part-time job or have their hours reduced.

How Partial Benefits Are Calculated

Most states calculate your entire benefit amount by first figuring out what you would have been qualified for if you were still completely jobless. Typically, you will subtract your part-time income from this total.

For instance, in New York, you can work up to seven days a week without losing your unemployment benefits for that week if you work 30 hours or fewer and earn $504 or less in gross income, excluding earnings from self-employment. Benefits will be reduced incrementally based on your total weekly hours worked rather than how many days you work.

Your weekly salary must be at least $220 in order to qualify for unemployment insurance benefits in New Jersey. Your partial benefits will be calculated based on your earnings and work hours.

Document Your Earnings

In order to receive unemployment benefits while working part-time, you must accurately report your weekly earnings. Receiving benefits to which you are not legally entitled is illegal and considered fraud.

You’ll also have to show evidence of your efforts to obtain full-time or, in some cases, part-time employment in order to keep collecting partial unemployment benefits.

Extending Your Claim

Working part-time may lengthen the amount of weeks you are eligible for benefits in some states. When your benefit year ends, you might also be qualified to submit a new claim based on your cumulative part-time earnings.

Why You Might Take a Part-Time Job

Even while accepting a part-time job after losing your full-time job may seem like a step backward in terms of your career, there are a number of benefits that could help you in the long run, not to mention some extra money that could be helpful. Your income will probably grow if you combine your partial unemployment benefits with earnings from a part-time job.

Progress Toward a Full-Time Job

While collecting unemployment benefits, working part-time might be beneficial for both your long-term job hunt and your finances. You will make contacts, get experience, and pick up new skills even if the work is not in your main profession. You can benefit from the opportunity to work part-time by exploring other areas of interest or by gaining knowledge and experience that will advance your career goals.