Question: I was recently laid off. I applied for unemployment and received it, but my employer appealed. I won. My employer than offered me a full time job, but I don’t want to accept it because it doesn’t even pay enough to cover day care. Do I have to take the full time job, or could I continue to collect unemployment?

Lorraine
Pascone, TX

Answer: The laws concerning the right to collect unemployment insurance varies from state to state. In my experience, I have not seen a state permit a person to collect unemployment insurance if a full time job is available to them, regardless of the amount of money being offered to them, and whether or not it is sufficient to pay for day care.

Good day care for children is very important. That being said, I don’t think it is seen by most states as a sufficient reason not to accept an offer of a full time job. Texas may be different, but I would be surprised if it was. You’ll find the Texas Workforce Commission’s website very helpful. Give it a try at www.TWC.state.tx.us.

Best, Al Sklover

© 2009 Alan L. Sklover, All Rights Reserved.