Unemployment question-Severance -to tell or not?

[toysrus]

Not sure who remembers my story. anyway i was laid off from my job back in June. Just yesterday i finally received my first unemployment check.


Now today - Saturday i get a letter in the mail from unemployment telling me they " unemployment are calling me on the 22nd questioning if i received Severance pay. I did, but did not mention that when i filed online, because i had issues with my job and did not receive the severance until days after i filed.

So should i mention that i received a severance check? It was only a 2 weeks severance check.

This is my first time being laid off/un-employed.

To tell or not?

Do they usually call my past employer on severance?

And If i do tell them, does that mean they will cut off my unemployment for a while? For 2 weeks? I'm confused.

Thanks

[toys2cool]

I think you should, if they ask you and you lie about it and they find out, that can't be good

[Mikey]

I would tell them.

The only way they knew about your severance was they got that info from your employer.

If you lie, they'll catch it and might deny you any more unemployment.

Before you do anything, check more info about your states unemployment rules.

All states have different rules.

In some cases, a person might have to give up the 2 weeks unemployment NOW, but be able to collect it at the end of their claim... I would check into that too.

[livnxxxl]

I never been in that kind of a predicament so I am going to have to say ditto what D said above. The truth will set you free my Mego brother.

DISCLAIMER: In the unlikely event that the truth does not set you free in this case just remember it was all T2C's fault. LOL!! kidding!

[ScottA]

If they have access to your W2 they will already know the answer before they ask you the question. The severance will be reported as income to you by your former employer. Since you failed to mention it in the first place they may just make you skip the next unemployment check. But like people are saying, states do things differently.

[toysrus]

Thanks- So by being honest with them on the phone means they wont pay me for 2 weeks? Is that what you mean?

They are likely going to ask, why didnt you mention your sevarence when you applied online.

I just dont want them stopping my unemployment of all things. Took long enough for me to get my unemployment in the first place.

[Mikey]

They are likely going to ask, why didnt you mention your sevarence when you applied online.

I just dont want them stopping my unemployment of all things. Took long enough for me to get my unemployment in the first place.

Tell them the truth.
Tell them you didn't think you were going to get any sevarence pay and that's why you didn't say anything.
At the time those 2 weeks sevarence was not a bird in the hand when you filed for unemployment.
Just tell them you really didn't expect to recieve anything from your employer.

[toysrus]

Thanks.

But i file every Sunday-which is tomorrow. Shouldnt i just mention the severance tomorrow when i file every Sunday? My phone interview is for the 22nd for qustioning. I figured i would file tomorrow and mention the severance so that when i speak to this unemployment clerk they will see i already came forward with the truth. Or should i wait it out to the 22nd and mention it all then?

Thats I need is for them to cut off my unemployment.

Damn Cobra health insurance is hurting us enough-900 a month!

Dont move to Vegas- lay offs everywhere!

We can barely make our mortgage and eat!

[LadyZod]

Honestly, you didn't mention the severance pay when you applied, because you hadn't received any at the time you applied. The End.

In fact you did not believe you would ever receive any even if you felt you had earned it.

You were honest when you first applied.

Tell them you JUST received your first unemployment check (which they know) and it's barely cleared. You have not had an opportunity to contact them about the changes (i.e. receipt of severance) since the receipt of your first unemployment check.

At anytime did you believe your ex-employer would challenge your unemployment claim? Many do, to avoid having to pay. Many employer will nitpick and find ANY excuse to prevent an unemployment claim.

If you were under that belief, perhaps you did not think you would actually receive unemployment until the check arrived?

[LadyZod]

Shouldnt i just mention the severance tomorrow when i file every Sunday? My phone interview is for the 22nd for qustioning. I figured i would file tomorrow and mention the severance so that when i speak to this unemployment clerk they will see i already came forward with the truth. Or should i wait it out to the 22nd and mention it all then?

Question: Do you speak to a clerk or your case worker?

If it's a caseworker, yes.
If it's just a clerk, don't bother.

A caseworker can affect your case.

A clerk may make a note of it, he may not, he may help, he may not give a rat's butt.

If you don't mention it to a clerk, and you're questioned on the 22nd, just tell them to wanted to speak to someone with some knowledge regarding your case about this situation, since it's all new to you.

[toys2cool]

I never been in that kind of a predicament so I am going to have to say ditto what D said above. The truth will set you free my Mego brother.

DISCLAIMER: In the unlikely event that the truth does not set you free in this case just remember it was all T2C's fault. LOL!! kidding!

lol

[toysrus]

My letter says you will be speaking with a Unemployment Adjudicator on July 22 between 8-4pm regarding - Non separation issues on Separation pay and or Severance pay.

Is that bad-lol? I hope not!

Question: Do you speak to a clerk or your case worker?

If it's a caseworker, yes.
If it's just a clerk, don't bother.

A caseworker can affect your case.

A clerk may make a note of it, he may not, he may help, he may not give a rat's butt.

If you don't mention it to a clerk, and you're questioned on the 22nd, just tell them to wanted to speak to someone with some knowledge regarding your case about this situation, since it's all new to you.

[steelcouch]

Well I know here in California if you recieved any benefits or monies during the waiting period time it will count as money earned. They take of the first 25% and discount your earnings after that. So basically if you recieved a $100 the first $25 wont be deducted but the other $75 will. They might make you wave the next check of two weeks since it was income. I know it sucks but you have to be honest or they can ding you pretty bad. I have a friend that had recieved his last check from unemployment and recieved work a week before he had terminated his unemployment and they punished him 5 months of no unemployment. It pays to be honest especially with the state.

[megocrazy]

Honestly, you didn't mention the severance pay when you applied, because you hadn't received any at the time you applied. The End.

In fact you did not believe you would ever receive any even if you felt you had earned it.

You were honest when you first applied.

This is true but in Mass there is a separate line on the initial filing stating if you receive something, after the fact, you need to update previous filings. As stated previously, they know the answer before they're asking. If they catch you willingly lying they can withhold your unemployment altogether, in Mass at least, as you trying to be fraudulent. Play stupid and just say you didn't think you were getting it and hadn't when you filed, so you weren't lying when you applied. It shouldn't go any further than that. Say as little as possible and answer any questions as shortly and directly as possible. One thing I've learned in my 3 weeks of unemployment is the stupid get everything done for them while the intelligent have to do it all for themselves. I was having a nightmare with my medical, which is required in Mass, or they penalize you on your tax return for any month you have that you're uncovered. I stopped calling, went down to the office, and played stupid and said I can't figure this out. Threw the papers on the desk. 72 hours later I had medical cards. I wish I could speak a foreign language. That would have made it even easier.

[JDeRouen]

Damn Cobra health insurance is hurting us enough-900 a month!

Trust me, I feel your pain. My wife has been out of work since last November and since our insurance was through her job, we've been paying Cobra as well. It sucks big time.

That said, I'd be honest with them about the severance. Because they will find out if you don't tell them.