Ok, I was employeed at a company for 5 years and it completely closed forcing me to go on unemployment. I have never been unemployeed since the day I’ve been able to work at 16. It’s been about 9 months now of trying to find a job. I apply to everything and just cannot get a job. I even went back to school to brush up my skills during this ordeal. Now I just need a job even more for survival. In sheer desperation I applied at a temp agency. Ive been offered a 2 week job that starts in a few weeks. But now Im being told of all these horrible things like I will lose unemployment and be stuck in the temp world of waiting for jobs! I am freaking out, cause although unemployment was tiny compared to what I normally made, I made it work. But if I lose all income…Im screwed. I could last a week or so if it took that much time for unemployment to start back up after the 2 week job. But if after that 2 weeks, Im faced with nothing and no job prospects, I don’t know what to do. I have kicked the job search into high gear this week, with the hope of landing a job before I sign the final paperwork for this 2 week job. The worst part is I just dont know if Im making a terrible decision because I’ve never did temp work before. Does anyone have any words of advice? Im grown but I feel so freaken confused and sad 
you should check with the state unemployment office and see what they say. you can probably work the 2 week job and continue with unemployment. keep your claim open but declare the work. that way you shouldn’t have a waiting period.
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Each State may have different laws; in Calif, the EDD (Unemployment folks) will deduct from your wages the difference – for example: your Unemployment is $200 per week, and the temp job pays $100 per week, Unemployment will deduct the $100 from the $200 and you still receive the $100 from Unemp.
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Sounds like you want to get back to work. A temp job may open a few doors for you…….I would do it……..call the unemployment office and tell them what you are up to and they will advise. In Michigan you can just tell them on your reporting date that you worked. They will deduct that form you unemployment and when your temp job is over you just report on the same date as you always did……your unemployment will be extended by the weeks you reported work………good luck.
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If you do the job for 2 weeks and don’t quit or get fired from it, then you can pick up the unemployment where you left off (or maybe get the difference in pay from unemployment if it is less hours or significantly less money than the unemployment). But if you quit or get fired, then you are screwed. So now you are committed to this job and kiss up no matter what.
No need to get depressed. Just chill a little bit. Maybe your body and mind needed a rest from working…did you ever think of that? Try to live on less money. It can be done! Call the suicide hotline if you just want someone to talk to about your troubles. They can give you lots of ideas for resources to help you with problems too.
Meanwhile try to help those less fortunate than you when you can too…it helps to take your mind off your worries and give you a sense of purpose. Drive people to the store who can’t drive. Fix some food to take to the soup kitchen for the homeless. Do some free chores for an elderly person.
Better to sell stuff on ebay or take jobs mowing lawns (off the record jobs) if you need a little more money.
Also can apply for food stamps with your local Jobs and Family Services office (and medicaid if any kids). Also you can call 211 for First Link and the food pantry.
Sometimes electric companies have PIP (percentage of income payment plans) or HEAP for heating bills help.
For low cost medical appts, call the public health dept. and ask about free or low cost clinics.
For free or low cost meds, try http://www.pparx.org.
Shop thrift stores for cheap clothing and household items. They sometimes have a 50% off day every month at the end of the month. Flea markets and yard sales have some inexpensive items too. Look at http://www.craigslist.org under “For Sale/Wanted” and “free” for cheap stuff locally and also for free stuff.
Sometimes people throw out perfectly good furniture and other items near apt and condo dumpsters, esp. at the end of the month when people move or get evicted. Sometimes tons of clothes too. Go at night with a flashlight and a rake if you don’t live there.
Sounds difficult to live on less, but it can be done if you make the effort.Good luck.
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