But is taking a seasonal job while youre receiving unemployment benefits a good idea?
It gives a little bit more cushion, so I think its pretty smart as long as its suitable.
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Lets break it down.
Duration of Benefits
Pandemic notwithstanding, the majority of states offer Unemployment Insurance benefits for 26 weeks.
On the lower-end of the spectrum, Florida and North Carolina provide up to 12 weeks of benefits.
On the higher end, Montana provides up to 28 weeks.
Those 12 to 28 weeks of typical benefits do not have to be in a row.
They can pause and resume as needed.
The main stipulation here is that those weeks must fall within your benefit year.
It doesnt extend your benefit year, but it extends your eligibility farther through the year, Evermore said.
So Im entitled to 26 weeks of benefits during that year.
This scenario is the case for regular, state-level Unemployment Insurance programs.
Both federal programs expire on Dec. 26, unless they are extended by Congress.
If youre on one of them, you will not be able to receive benefits past Dec. 26.
Amount of Benefits
In many cases, your weekly unemployment compensation will pause while youre working.
Lets say you receive a $300 weekly payment.
You decide to take a three-month, temporary position at Best Buy, which pays $600 a week.
First, tell your state agency that you found temporary work.
Then, during the course of your employment, your benefits will pause.
Once your temporary gig expires, you could resume your $300 weekly payments.
If youre worried about your benefits being reduced after your seasonal job ends, dont be.
Evermore says thats a common misconception.
To understand what she means, lets wax philosophical for a moment and consider the purpose of unemployment benefits.
It keeps a recession from allowing employers to totally take advantage of an unemployed, desperate workforce.
Adam Hardy is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
He covers the gig economy, entrepreneurship and unique ways to make money.
Read his latest articles here, or say hi on Twitter@hardyjournalism.
Probably not as good as youd like.
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But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
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