Unemployment and Law School Forum

[masochist]

Can one collect unemployment while going to law school? Due to a complicated corporate structure at my current job, my boss may ask if she can lay me off rather than have me resign. I like my boss, and will do whatever works best for her, but I was just wondering if this alternative to quitting might help me out too.

[GeePee]

Can one collect unemployment while going to law school? Due to a complicated corporate structure at my current job, my boss may ask if she can lay me off rather than have me resign. I like my boss, and will do whatever works best for her, but I was just wondering if this alternative to quitting might help me out too.

You're not looking for a full time job during law school, and therefore you cannot collect unemployment. Attempting to do so would ruin your C&F chances, and possibly support criminal charges for fraud.

[AreJay711]

You might be able to do it for a bit if you are leaving your job a little before you start school maybe. Do you have to be looking for full time work or just work? Being a student stops you from getting other benefits though like section 8 housing.

[krad]

Ditto the above posters... To qualify for unemployment you have to be actively seeking full time employment I believe.

I did read something one time about 'training unemployment' or something for those let go from certain jobs, but I think it was primarily for jobs that are dying off due to technology and whatnot.

[Lokomani]

I have a link specifically for you about this:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=requirements+for+unemployment


Come on buddy, you know the answer here. You're just bullshitting yourself and us if you think going to school of your own free will counts as unemployment.

[masochist]

I have a link specifically for you about this:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=requirements+for+unemployment


Come on buddy, you know the answer here. You're just bullshitting yourself and us if you think going to school of your own free will counts as unemployment.

Wow, chill out everyone. I am not going to commit fraud, and nobody is asserting that going to law school is anything but my choice. I know collecting unemployment is allowed in certain circumstances when attending school. I am asking if going to law school would qualify. I do not know the answer to this question because I have never collected unemployment.

If you are going to get all TLS hysterical about the question, you could at least tell me to retake or go to Yale or something. That would be just as helpful.

[masochist]

Ditto the above posters... To qualify for unemployment you have to be actively seeking full time employment I believe.

I did read something one time about 'training unemployment' or something for those let go from certain jobs, but I think it was primarily for jobs that are dying off due to technology and whatnot.

Thanks. That is what I thought, but it was worth a shot.

[TIKITEMBO]

.

[masochist]

I did read something one time about 'training unemployment' or something for those let go from certain jobs, but I think it was primarily for jobs that are dying off due to technology and whatnot.

You can check with your unemployment office, or if they like many unemployment offices have no clue about re-employment education programs, check with the labor department as well as another option. Everything differs depending on what state you live in. Krad is right though that there are some re-training programs you can go into as school that still allow you to collect unemployment, but they're largely for vocational training areas from what I know. I doubt law school will fit into that unfortunately. Would that the government recognized all new education avenues after lay offs in the same light, but they don't. PM me if you have more questions on this.

Anyway, I do believe you can collect up until you start school, so that might give you from when you file to when you start school.

Thanks, I'll swing by the unemployment office and check it out. I have a feeling that whatever I did during the 1L summer would basically end benefits anyway, but the 9 mos of income would be nice.

[clevermoose]

Hypothetical - what if the OP was doing a part time program?

[jaestro]

I would definitely look into it. If you are in school full time, I think you still can get benefits. Who knows? A part of the reason they pay benefits while one is in school, is so the person can gain new skills for employment. I do not see how this could not apply to law school. You are out of work, you will earn valuable skills at school...

[mala2]

I don't think you can go to training/school in person during the working day and still get unemployment. (except in the industry retraining mentioned above) I get unemployment from North Carolina and while the lady there processed my claim she said going to school online was fine because it doesn't affect your ability to go to a job. I don't think online law school would be good though, but if you wanted to do something like get a teaching certificate you could do that, depending on the state.

[bogart]

Fraud? wtf. Op, I received unemployment throughout my 1l year its nothing to get scared about. Just be sure to mention to the representative that you will be attending school full time. As for looking for work, you can't search for what does not exist.

[masochist]

Here is what I found out about Illinois ...

"...An individual can remain eligible for unemployment benefits while participating in a training program IF:
1. the individual remains available for work and actively seeking work and has not refused an offer of suitable work without good cause; OR
2. the training qualifies as "approved training" under state law.

NOTE: An individual whose principal occupation is that of a student whose course does not constitute approved training is ineligible for unemployment benefits.

For training to be approved it must meet the following requirements:

* The training course must relate to an occupation or skill for which there are reasonable work opportunities in the locality
* The training course must be vocational; and
* The training course cannot be more than one year in duration; and
* The course must be designed to facilitate the individual's reemployment; and
* The course must focus on skills necessary for securing entry level employment; and
* The course must be at least 12 hours per week of instruction; and
* The training course must be offered by a competent and reliable agency, education institution, or employing unit; and
* Work opportunities for which the individual is currently qualified must be limited or not exist in the locality; and
* The individual must have the qualifications and aptitude to complete the course successfully.

So it looks like the answer is likely no (in this state at least). Bummer.