Buzz
If the economic downturn caused by the pandemic left you jobless this spring, you’re likely surviving on a combination of your state’s unemployment benefits along with an additional $600 weekly payment due to the CARES Act. But what happens to these benefits if you return to work, especially if you can only work part-time hours?
In this situation, you could qualify for partial unemployment benefits. All states provide this, though the rules differ depending on where you live. Generally, you must earn less than you would if you were fully unemployed and receiving your state’s regular unemployment benefits, according to CNBC. Additionally, you may qualify if your employer offers a worksharing program.
You cannot have voluntarily reduced your hours; your decrease in work hours (and wages) must be a result of your employer’s staffing needs, as opposed to a complete layoff. You must be available and willing to work more hours, but unable to do so because of factors outside your control.
For example, here’s how it works in Georgia, where the maximum weekly unemployment benefit is $365:
Employers can file partial unemployment claims for full-time employees who work fewer hours than usual in a pay period due to lack of work. The employee must still be employed by the company and their wages must not exceed the weekly benefit amount plus $50.00.
Here’s how it works in Arizona:
When submitting your mandatory weekly claim, you must report all earnings. Earnings above $30 will be deducted from your weekly benefit. To qualify for the extra $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), you must receive at least $1 in benefits.
For instance, if you’re eligible for the maximum weekly benefit of $240 and you earn $180 in a week, assuming you meet other eligibility conditions, you’d receive $90 plus the $600 FPUC payment for that week. If your earnings for the week are $240 or more, you won’t qualify for any benefits that week.
If you're already enrolled in your state's unemployment system, it might automatically recognize your work situation when you file your next weekly claim and adjust your payment without much effort on your end. However, if this is your first time claiming benefits or you live in a state with a particularly complicated unemployment system, you may need to reenroll or reach out to a staff member for assistance.
Even with this benefit, your earnings may not match what you were accustomed to on a full schedule. That said, receiving $600 plus a portion of your state’s unemployment benefits right now is much better than just getting part of your state's regular payment. If you're working limited hours while your state works on reopening plans, you could still qualify for several weeks of federal and state assistance to help cover your expenses.
Visit your state's unemployment insurance website for more specific details. You can find the link to your state’s site in this directory.
