How to Sell Pampered Chef While on Unemployment

Although the goal of a person receiving unemployment benefits is to get full-time employment, obtaining a job can take a long time, and benefits may not cover cost of living. Recipients often work part-time jobs or start a home-based business selling services or products as a self-employed contractor for a company such as Pampered Chef. Unemployment insurance rules vary by state. As a result, the effects of selling Pampered Chef while on unemployment depend entirely on your state.

Instructions

1. Check the information provided by your state’s unemployment or labor department when you started receiving unemployment benefits to see whether your state allows you to work as a self-employed contractor while on unemployment.

2. Contact your unemployment office after your review the information and ask the representative to provide details on correctly tracking and reporting self-employment earnings. For example, your state may allow deductions for certain expenses.

3. Speak with a Pampered Chef Consultant in your region for guidance on setting up your business and becoming a Pampered Chef Consultant. The consultant can put you on the fast track to setting up your business quickly and correctly. To connect with a consultant, go to the Pampered Chef Join Us! Web page, click the “Find a Consultant” button, enter your information in the “Need a Consultant?” section, check the box beside “Learn about starting my own Pampered Chef business” and click the “Submit” button.

4. Follow the instructions provided by your regional Pampered Chef consultant to set up your business. The steps you take will involve purchasing a Pampered Chef New Consultant Kit that includes Pampered Chef products to display when trying to make sales. When you’re ready, begin selling Pampered Chef products.

5. Report your weekly or bi-weekly earnings from sale of Pampered Chef products to your department of labor online or by phone. Report your sales as you make them instead of when you receive your commission from Pampered Chef. Take out any expenses, if applicable, before providing your earnings. Some states only allow inventory costs; others are more lenient.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don’t know how to reach your local unemployment insurance or compensation office, go to the U.S. Department of Labor DOL Services by Location website (see Resources) and use the “Apply for Unemployment Benefits in (State Name)” link listed for your state to access the unemployment benefits website for your state and contact information.

• Earnings from sale of Pampered Chef products can exceed your weekly or bi-weekly unemployment benefits amounts. When this happens, unless you’re allowed deductions, you won’t receive benefits for the period.

• In some states, a person that starts a new business, even if only part-time, may not continue to receive unemployment benefits. Some states define the start of a new business by the first steps taken to create the business including the rental of equipment or office space or advertising the business.

• Exceptions sometimes exist that allow receipt of benefits -- for example, a pre-existing home-based business or a sideline business, previously run while working full-time.

References

• Alaska.gov, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development: Unemployment Insurance
• Oregon.gov: Unemployment Insurance (UI) - Working While Claiming; Reporting Earnings On Your Weekly Claim
• Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry: Benefit Eligibility
• Utah.gov, Department of Administrative Services: Utah Administrative Code - Rule R994-207. Unemployment.

Resources

• Pampered Chef: Join Us!
• U.S. Department of Labor DOL Services by Location