Is it legal to base my “extended” benefits on the “lag” priod?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is it legal to base my “extended” benefits on the “lag” priod?
I just filed for the extension of my unemployment, and was notified yesterday that my benefits have been cut in half based on what I earned in the “lag period”. (I am a contractor, who works for a few weeks or months at a time, and claims for unemployed weeks.) This seems insane, as it bases my benefits on a tiny window of time rather than my overall work history and contributions to the system. My Grandson got an extension and had not worked at all since he first filed, and his benefits remained the same. Am I being penalized for working a short assignment rather than turning it down? What ar
Asked on May 29, 2009 under Employment Labor Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
J.V., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
yes basically these types of benefits are based on immediate circumstances financially not the overall picture. Although all factors come into play the immediate situation tends to carry the most weight
As I do not know the specifics you are probably best off contacting a local attorney who deals with unemployment and ask them if there is anything you can do to avoid this type of decrease in the future. Although I do not believe you can retroactively change the numbers you do have the ability to not get yourself into the same position again and as such you should speak to a local attorney and find out exactly what you can earn to remain entitled to full benefits
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.