Originally Posted by
cyclefanatic83
Here in CT the local NPR station interviewed a bunch of (again, local to CT) restaurant and business owners.
They all said the same thing:
People apply just to prove they are looking in order to get the unemployment and bonus. Some "applicants" come out and say that
People who are serious only want to work 1/2 time so they can get part-time unemployment and full bonus $$
The serious applicants aren't always qualified for the jobs that are open.
For example, the landscaping company needs someone experienced in design, drainage, etc....not a body to push a mower in straight lines.
I'm sure every state is different. In IL, you don't even have to prove you're applying unless they audit you. I took unemployment a few years ago for maybe 3 months when I got a severance package from my employer -- it was either weekly or bi-weekly I had to go online and answer some questions on a website. Basically they asked 1) if I had worked a certain number of hours in the last period, and 2) if I was seeking employment. There wasn't even a question about whether I had applied anywhere.
I was enjoying a full paycheck from my former employer and then received unemployment on top of it. All completely legal, in fact I fully explained the situation to the state agency just to make sure I wouldn't get in trouble later. Certainly a different situation than we're discussing but the end result was the same - since I had basically received a raise to not work, I didn't look for work until my severance package ran out. Seems like that's what's going on today.