How to Collect Unemployment While Working Part Time

You can work part time and still receive unemployment benefits.

While collecting unemployment you may find yourself between a rock and hard place. The desire to keep your skills fresh and bring in income with a part-time job poses many dilemmas. A major misconception is that you cannot hold a job and still receive your benefits. The laws vary from state to state regarding receipt of benefits while employed, but keeping a few things in mind, you can legally work a part-time job and still collect unemployment.

Instructions

1. Research what the income limits are for your unemployment. Make sure your weekly pay will not exceed your weekly unemployment benefits amount. Otherwise, you won't receive benefits during your working weeks.

2. Find part-time employment.

3. Report your income. It may be tempting to omit information about your income, but the Internal Revenue Service will notice during tax time.

Tips & Warnings

• If your unemployment benefits are stopped or altered due to part-time employment, previous benefits will be reinstated if you are laid off.

• Part-time employment may alter the amount of unemployment you receive for a particular week.

References

• The Baltimore Sun: Part-time work and unemployment benefits
• All Experts: Human Resources: Working on Unemployment
• Unemployment: Can I collect unemployment while working part-time?