Oh, Our Government!

So I just got off the phone with EDD (or unemployment). Boy we have problems here. I had decided not to apply for unemployment after being laid off. I thought I could handle it without taking money from the government. I was paid throughout the summer because my checks were split up that way. Then I started getting worried. I started the paper work to receive unemployment and then I decided not to send in the rest of the information because I could do it without. Then I saw how much COBRA was going to cost me, so I sent it back in about two months later. Because I sent the paperwork in so late, I was given a phone appointment from EDD to see if I was trying to fraud the government.

So here is how it turned out. Because I am subbing and earn more than $600 a week, I do not qualify for unemployment (which makes sense). But, whenever I earn less than $600 in a week, then I can reopen my unemployment claim. If I just can't "find jobs" for the week, then I can reapply. At that point, they will send me a check for $450 dollars for the week. As the man was explaining this, I said, "Oh, I see how people take advantage of this." He then told me how really this is to help me and that it is just fine to keep applying for unemployment.

I just figured that if I work:
2 days a week x $147= $294 That is less than $600 a week. I can then apply for unemployment and get another $450 a week for a total of: $744

3 days a week x $147= $441 That is less than $600 a week. I can then apply for unemployment and get another $450 a week for a total of: $891

4 days a week x $147= $588 That is less than $600 a week. I then can apply for unemployment and get another $450 a week for a total of: $1,038

If I work:
5 days a week x $147= $735 and not eligible for unemployment.

Wow! So, they are encouraging me to work less so I can make more. Amazing the world we live in. It's too bad that I feel satisfaction in actually working. I could really be doing quite well financially. I still don't understand why the guy did not see how people take advantage of this. I had to stop him at one point of the phone call and tell him how I really don't know the process, I have never done this before. So, I think I have figured it out. I should work three days and then head down to Disneyland for the rest of the week. Why not, the government is paying for my trip. It's free. Holy Cow!!!