Unemployment Question

[DigitalCancer]

Ok...so story is, I live in Indiana...work in Michigan.

I started with a contractor in September and we changed to a 'new' contractor in June. I had to sign new papers and all that jazz.

I hear that this contract could be letting some people go and its kinda scary for me b/c I reside in Indiana and I've NEVER drawn unemployment before.

I did call the unemployment people in Indiana and she said that i'd need to file a claim in MI (interstate claim) which really scares me b/c MI has a percentage of your earnings that you can't get...although i'm not sure of the percentage, I believe its, you get 60% or something..anyway..I don't make a ton of money so, 60% of my earnings would be crap. I also heard that you have to be with the company for at least 6 months, which..if you count from June, I haven't so I wouldn't even be eligible for benefits until December and I honestly do not think they'll make it that far out.

What can I do if I do get laid off and do not have a job lined up? Sadly, I have no savings or anything because I drive 120 miles/day (round-trip) to get here ($250 in gas roughly per month). The rest of my money goes on bills. =/

Any help is always appreciated!

 

[jonnyGURU]

You think it's as much as 60% in Michigan? You think it's better in IN?

In Florida, it's only 50%. When I lost my job at a bike shop that went belly up and found out it was 50% of my previous pay, and that was only after I beat feet and handed in a bunch of job applications showing that I was proactively looking for a job, I said "screw it" and got a job at a Pizza Hut to hold me over until something better came along.

 

[EagleKeeper]

The state will look at your overall employment time for the past 5 quarters.

The number of employers should not matter.

 

[rudeguy]

Michigan's unemployment sucks. MARVIN is no fun to deal with. Not to mention that IF your claim does get approved, its going to be a minimum of 6-8 weeks before you see a dime.

I don't know anyone who has made more than $360/week from MI unemployment.

 

[BoomerD]

Interstate claims can be a real PITA.

http://www.michigan.gov/docume...t36English_76381_7.pdf

"Amount of unemployment benefits
UIA staff calculates how much you receive in unemployment benefits by multiplying the highest amount of wages
paid to you in any base period quarter by 4.1%. The UIA adds $6 for each dependent you claim, up to five
dependents. The weekly benefit amount is capped at $362. (The federal American Recovery & Reinvestment Act
has provided an extra $25 in weekly unemployment benefit payments for most programs through the end of 2009.
The Federal Additional Compensation boosts the maximum weekly benefit in Michigan to $387.)"

While that amount sucks...it's certainly better than Mississippi's $210/week...:roll:

http://credit-blog.creditfyi.com/personal-finances/state-unemployment-benefits-for-2009.html