Thursday, April 28, 2011

collecting unemployment while doing freelance work without a contract

collecting unemployment while doing freelance work without a contract?
please help if possible, can i stop unemployment and collect again when freelance job is finished? or may i collect unemployment benefits as well as doing the the part time freelance work?
Careers & Employment - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
In the state of California anyway, you can earn money from irregular jobs. You must report on your bi-weekly questionairre what you've earned, and they will reduce your amount of unemployment collected for that period accordingly.
2 :
It depends on your state. Where I live you are eligible for a certain amount of unemployment based on the amount of unemployment insurance your previous employer paid on your behalf. When you have a job you can: a) report it to unemployment and your benefits will be reduced a certain amount or b) keep it to yourself knowing you are only freelancing and the money is unsteady. Incidentally, unemployment benefits are reported to the IRS and must be added to yur income (as an adjustment) and taxes paid on it at the end of the year.
3 :
Collecting unemployment when you are working is fraud. If the unemployment agency finds out, you will be required to pay the money back, plus you could even be sent to jail. Better to let the unemployment office know that you are working a freelance job, and take your chances that you will be able to get the unemployment check again when it ends

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