Florida Unemployment Fraud Penalties

I have been collecting unemployment since June of 2011, but I recently got a job on the 23rd of October, but wont get a paycheck until November 11th. I am supposed to be claiming my benefit weeks on November 8th, a few days before i get a paycheck from my new job.

My question is am i eligible to claim these weeks? I am in desperate need of money, but don't want to commit any kind of fraud. I really need the money, but don't want to go to jail if i am wrong about claiming the past weeks before my new job pays me.

Thank You

I was called sometime in January while working part time at a big corporation as a cashier and was told that I was owed some benefits from a prior claim. While on the phone, I told the claims person I was on an unpaid leave of absence that my employer made me sign up for, because i missed 3 consecutive days of work. My employer said I would be terminated if I didn't sign up for LOA.

Anyway, when the claims officer called in January, I had just started my LOA. I asked the claims officer if I could file a new claim since I was only hired on as part time and I told her I was on unpaid leave; she said I could, so I filed and was accepted for $84 each week. In the application I filled out online, I stated that I was on unpaid leave as well. I no longer am employed by this company because I could no longer work in the position I was hired for, (which is cashier in a 2 foot by 2 foot space, and it caused my legs to swell up like baloons due to lack of circulation,) but I kept trying to get them to switch my position to something else I could do for months so I could get back to work ASAP. HR wasnt very willing to help me and I asked my manager what the likely hood was of switching positions, and he said they were cutting peoples hours and letting people go, so I gave up on even trying to go back to that job.

I have fulfilled my work search requirements each week and I just received a phone call today from another Claims person stating that my previous employer contacted unemployment and gave them my signed Leave of Absence papers. He asked me if I was on leave during that time and I said yes, he asked if I was laid off and I said no, and I told him that it was my employers policy to be on leave after 3 days missed, and I told him that I could go back to work in another position but not the position I was hired for. I told the Unemployment claims man that HR said I would have to be released by my dr. I told them I was released but ONLY to work in another department, and showed them my return to work note. I was told my note wasn't sufficient. HR said I had to be released with no restrictions, which was impossible. I was given the run around by HR and by managers. Another manager told me they wouldn't be able to provide me with a stool if I were to return to my previous position if no other positions were available, so I had no idea what to do besides just look for another job.

The man from Unemployment that called today stated that Id receive a letter in the mail determining my eligibility, but to continue claiming weeks.

Is it considered fraud to be on a forced unpaid leave of absence and claim benefits? I figured having a job held for me was better than no job at all, and in the application for benefits, I stated that I was on leave, and as previously stated, I asked a claims officer first prior to applying again.

Shouldn't Unemployment Compensation have noticed on my application that I stated that I was on Leave and denied my benefits if I was not allowed to have them?

I told my employer I was able to do any job except that particular position, unless my health changed, which was not likely to happen in the near future. All I cannot do is stand in one spot.

I am very scared now because if I did break the law, I didn't mean to and I'm terrified that they're going to take me to jail. I've heard of others being arrested and I'm terrified ill be arrested over something I didn't intentionally do wrong.

Please contact me ASAP. THANKS

Please contact me ASAP

I have been determined for committing fraud for unemployment collections. I was employed but was told by someone at their local office that if my net income was under 1250 that I could still claim benefits. Now I'm afraid that they will convicting me. I don't have a record. What's the worse case scenario if they find me guilty anyway?

I have a retirement account that I would like to withdraw from to pay my property taxes, insurance and purchase a vehicle so I can get out and about to find employment. Is if okay to withdraw from a fund like this as I have had if for several years?

Please advise.

Thank you!

Does any of you know whats the max you can make in az full time and receive unemployment. I was laid off in sep and just recently hired. MY previous position was 13 and now i make 9.35 so im trying to see if i can still receive money. I dont need people go off on me either. Its just hard to make it with what i have now let alone unemployment. Im single and have apt and bills so your input would be appreciated thx

I worked for a large company for ten years I had surgery returned when I was suppose to and was terminated. This was in June of 2006 I was on unemployment and then re-employed. From 2007-2010 due to the Florida job situation I was on/off employed re-employed worked when jobs were available and some were only temporary positions. I was able to collect partial unemployment when only partime hours were offered. Florida unemployment said I was over paid and I have to pay back over $3,000. I turned everything in and also filled weekly as I was suppose to. I had telephone apts with unemployment and went over what I had because the one employer who reported this I had to sign into the computer for working hours and the employer only had copies of my time sheet. This wasn't made available to me so I had to go with what they had as my in/out. My question is when federal taxes are filed can unemployment intercept this money for repayment?? Is the only way to dispute what they have for hours/payment by hiring a attorney?? How do you handle this when you have no money???