REPORT EARNINGS IF YOU ARE WORKING

The law imposes substantial penalties - including criminal penalties - for failing to report that you are working, or for failing to report all of your earnings when requesting benefits.

Each time you request a benefit payment, you are asked if you worked. Answer “Yes” if you worked at all, including if:

• it was the last week of your old job;
• you worked in a temporary job;
• you worked in a part-time job;
• you worked in self-employment;
• you worked in a job that is not in your usual occupation or industry;
• you worked in a job you had before you became unemployed;
• it was the first week that you returned to work.

If you worked, you will be asked the number of hours you worked.

• Report the total hours from all types of work.
• If you worked 32 hours or more in a week, Minnesota law says you are not eligible for benefits for that week.

If you worked, you must report your total earnings (before deductions and taxes). Earnings include:

• wages, tips, salary, commission, cash;
• self-employment income;
• the value of any rent, goods or services you receive for working.

You must report your earnings in the week you perform the work, not when you are paid for it. If you worked for more than one employer in a week, combine your earnings from all employers. For self-employment, report your weekly earnings after you deduct your direct business expenses for that week.

After you report your earnings, the computer system will automatically calculate how much of your earnings will be deducted from your weekly benefit amount. If your earnings for a week are equal to or greater than your weekly benefit amount, you will not be eligible for benefits. If your earnings are less than your weekly benefit amount, 55 percent of your earnings will be deducted from your weekly benefit amount.

Sometimes people work one week and are unemployed the next week. The online and automated phone systems are designed to accommodate this situation. Just remember to report the hours you worked and your gross earnings and the system will determine whether you're eligible for the week and your benefit amount.