Unemployment Benefits and Part Time Work
I hope someone can help me with this question. I live in IL and I lost my job several months ago. I did qualify for and am receiving unemployment. I also have had zero luck finding a comparable job. Recently I called unemployment to inquire if I could take on a part time job and still receive benefits: if it was allowed, how that would work, etc. The benefits counselor advised yes and the amount of the earnings I could make without a reduction in benefits, as well as partial benefits if I exceeded that amount. Perfectly acceptable, he said. Fine.
The job I lost was a 6 figure income and I am hurting financially now and struggling to pay my bills, which is what prompted this. So I accepted a $9 per hour part time job in retail to help pay the bills for a 20 hour per week evening and weekend shift. I worked approx 2 weeks and did report the income (which was within acceptable limits) when I called to do my every other week certification as instructed.
Then, the part time employer put me on the schedule for full time hours as well as day shifts. I talked to him and stated that I was not interested in a full time job there and I needed to stay part time and for evenings and weekends as I was hired for. He was not receptive at all so I had no choice but to resign. The job was not suitable or comparable, nor was the income, and the hours he was scheduling me for interrupts my ability to interview for suitable jobs. Just can't do it.
Now, unemployment has suspended my benefits due to me leaving a job voluntarily! I have an appointment to call them and I plan to explain the circumstances, but I am worried that I will lose my benefits altogether. As I mentioned this was a part time job started after my benefits began and not related to my line of work or anywhere near my prior pay. Can I lose my benefits over this?:confused: