Working Full Time
If you find a full-time job, you are no longer eligible for unemployment benefits beginning on the start date of the job, even if you will not receive your first paycheck right away. If you work the customary number of full-time hours for your occupation, you will not be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. You may still request payment for weeks before you start your job, but be sure to report work and earnings if you start work during your payment request period.
See also Stop Your Claim for additional information.
Working Part Time
If you work part time, you may be eligible to continue receiving unemployment benefits as long you meet all other requirements, including looking for full-time work.
The benefits of working part time include:
- You may get more money from the combination of part-time work and partial benefits than from unemployment benefits alone
- Your benefits may last longer
Separation from part-time work may affect your payment. If your part-time employer fires you or you quit, we will review your reason for the job separation and decide whether you can continue to receive benefits.
How to Calculate Your Payment Amount
You may earn up to 25% of your Weekly Benefit Amount before we reduce your benefits for that week. If you earn more, then we will reduce your benefit payment by the amount that is over 25%. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount plus 25%, we cannot pay you benefits for that week.
To calculate the amount of benefits you may receive, multiply your weekly benefit amount by 1.25 and then subtract your gross earnings. Your Statement of Benefits lists your weekly benefit amount.
For example, if your weekly benefit amount is $400, you may earn up to $100 (which is 25%) without a reduction in your benefits. If you earn more than $100, we subtract your earnings from $500 and pay you the difference. Either way, your benefits plus your earnings would total up to $500 for the week. If you earn more than $500 (your weekly benefit amount plus 25%), we cannot pay you benefits for that week.
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- Working and Collecting
#FFFFFF Collecting Benefits While Working Part Time You may be eligible to
collect partial benefits if you are working fewer than 32 hours per week. However, you must continue to look for work and meet your eligibility requirements. When you work, we can pay part of your weekly benefits, but you must have earned less than the weekly benefit amount. The law states that you can earn up to 50 percent of your weekly benefit amount and still be paid your full benefit payment. After that, we must reduce your benefit payment by one dollar for each dollar you earn. You
will need to report your hours worked and gross earnings (pay before any withholdings, e.g., taxes or child support) information for each week when you request payment, so be sure to keep track of all of your hours and earnings for each week. Basically, instead of waiting until you are paid, we require that you report the time and gross earnings as it occurs (when you request payment). You may use the earnings log in the back of this guide to help you keep track. Additionally, you must report
when you no longer work for an employer. Contact the Customer Service Center at 303-318-9000 or 1-800-388-5515 (outside Denver-metro area) to report that you stopped working. Download the Fact Sheet Calculation Assumptions: Week 1Example
Your weekly benefit amount = $100
50% of $100 = $50
You earn $20. Because this is less than $50, you will receive your full benefit payment of $100.
Week
2
You earn $60. Because you earned $10 more than 50% of your weekly benefit amount ($50), you will receive $90 in benefit payments ($100 - $10 = $90).
Week 3
You earn $110. Because this is equal or greater to your weekly benefit amount, you will receive $0 in benefit payments.
Self Employment
Self employment is considered work. You will need to report your hours worked and profits or gross earnings for the hours worked each week when you request payment, so be sure to keep track of all of your hours and earnings. You must also maintain your eligibility by meeting all the requirements in order to be paid benefits.
Commission Earnings
Commissions are considered earnings. You will need to report your hours worked and estimate your commissions earned for each week you request payment, so be sure to keep track of all your hours and earned commissions. Basically, instead of waiting until you are paid, we require that you report the estimated commissions as they are earned (when you request payment). You must also maintain your eligibility by meeting all the requirements in order to be paid benefits.
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Contact Us
Colorado Division of Unemployment Insurance | 303-318-9000 | Contact Us