Unemployment Question

Oh D., next time just smile at him and say "Thank You!" Then invite him over for a steak dinner - that will freak him out.

You know there are people in life that we just need to ignore and let their comments roll on off.

I too am pulling Unemployment since my job ended and food stamps - I no longer feel embarrassed by this since I have paid into the system for over 20 years.

Updated

Oh D., next time just smile at him and say "Thank You!" Then invite him over for a steak dinner - that will freak him out.

You know there are people in life that we just need to ignore and let their comments roll on off.

I too am pulling Unemployment since my job ended and food stamps - I no longer feel embarrassed by this since I have paid into the system for over 20 years.

2 has it pretty much correct!
You personally do NOT pay unemployment from your paychecks - unless you are self-employed (and I don't think those folks pay at all, just set back funds when they can). Unemployment is strictly an employer-paid tax -- both state unemployment and federal unemployment! You do draw based on the prior 3 quarters (about 9 months) of your employment history

So you did NOT pay unemployment at all - no one does except the employer/company! Your employer has paid into it for all of the years you worked - whatever the state set as the company % tax rate for the first approx $8,000 earned (fed is similar, but a much smaller %). So - if you draw for very long, you will easily draw out more than what was paid in on your behalf! Just do simple math - my state's top rate was at one time 10%. That % of $8,000 is only $800 PER YEAR paid into unemployment! (this will obviously vary depending on % and state rates, etc)

However, draw unemployment if needed - that is what it's there for! And you can now see that many that have needed to draw well past the typical 6-month limit have likely way overdrawn whatever was paid into the funds -- and this is where federal money comes in. And tell your BIL that he is definitely NOT paying any of your unemployment - except possibly if your state is using federal tax money to shore up it's funds (not sure which federal funds can be used to shore up state funds - never worked that part!)

Ignore him, he seems like a real jerk! He could EASILY be on unemployment at anytime with this type of economy and instead of ridiculing others he should count his blessings he has work.

Don't let the "fruitcake" Brother in law get you down..He obviously has problems. Unfortunately, there are mean, mean spirited people out there.
If he ever starts in on you again, divert the conversation by looking at your watch and say "Oh, no..gotta make a phone call" LOL..and run or simply
WALK away in the middle of the conversation!..seriously, don't listen
to that. He has control problems, and no matter what you tell him..he will
want to be in control.
I have learned to avoid people like that. Took me many years, to realize
I can simply walk away, say I have to run..or change channels quickly :-)
You are not alone! I've been there.

Control freaks are in shock, when they realize they cannot control someone
and keep the conversation going. Do not engage`I reapeat..do not engage ;-) Simply leave him hanging.

Okay first off, your BIL is a jerk. I agree with the other posters, it is best to ignore him because he has an incorrect and skewed idea of how the system works.

From what I know taxpayers do and do not pay unemployment. In MO at least, unemployment is paid for by your employer. Every employer is required to have unemployment insurance. I have never actually heard of employees paying into unemployment like they would social security or medicare. It is usually, like someone else said, an insurance program paid for by your employer for the years that you are employed. When you lose your job, they factor the costs based on how much money you were making because the company has to pay enough to "insure" a percentage of your salary. So TECHNICALLY its paid for by your employer and no one else. The reason he thinks he paid for it is because unemployment is paid to the department of labor in the state that you reside utilizing federal funding. So with the extensions more money is being spent from the deficit to cover the extensions, along with increases in payments made by employers (i.e. they are disbursing more money then they are receiving). So technically, yes, it's paid for with tax money and by China lol

I still think he's a jerk though for even saying that to you. You worked for 15 years. At any point in time he could be the person needing to collect unemployment and the many extensions that have happened with it. So seriously in my mind all the "working taxpayers" need to get the hell over themselves and realize that some people need it and one day it might be themselves who need it. Also, you are technically right that you did pay into it. For many years you were working and they had a deficit. Unemployment has not been balanced or had a surplus for MANY MANY years that I'm aware of, so your tax dollars went to those other people who were unemployed. You have every right to collect it and he just needs to learn to not be so mean and disrespectful, especially since you are family and he was in your home. Honestly though, you won't be able to change his mind no matter what you say, so I would drop it. If you just want some information on it, then look at your state department of labor website which discusses how revenues are collected for it.

ADDED: OMG I just read your update and I would HATE to be his wife! If he keeps acting that way, then karma may not be his friend anytime soon. Oh and he should be reminded too that you do pay taxes on unemployment checks, so technically your paying the same way he is

I would not waste my time. His thinking will never change.

I don't know if the laws in your state are any different than most, but employees do not pay into the unemployment fund. The employers are required to pay unemployment insurance at the state level. That is what generates the funds to pay for the initial payment of unemployment. The length of time of benefits may vary from state to state. After this time period runs out then the unemployment is funded from federal money ((which is the money you and I pay from our federal taxes)) You said your mother pays unemployment --you might want to have her recheck on this to see what is being taken out of her check (is there a special unemployment tax for union workers??? I don't know))
Your BIL sounds like a big bully and it was unkind that he battered you under those circumstances. I would spend as little time with him as possible--he is not worth your time and I would not invite him back to your house. I don't think I would waste time trying to refute his accusations because he is not the kind of person to listen to logic and I don't think you have paid into unemployment (unless that is something specific to Michigan) and he would just throw it back in your face. (social security is not unemployment)
What are you doing to find a job? What skills do you have and what skills are you working on to make yourself more marketable? Unemployment is a good safety net for those who face devastating job losses, but I am also a frustrated taxpayer who is seeing lots of examples of people who don't seriously look at finding a job until there benefits are running out. The extensions just keep them out of the market longer than needed. I am not saying that this is your situation, but I would spend more time on finding a job than wasting time on him.

When I have done payroll and written out the pay stubs I only held out for Social Security, State taxes, and Federal taxes. I held nothing out for unemployment. I have never heard of paying in to this type fund as an employee.

I had to laugh out loud when I read your post! Your BIL sounds like a real tool.
He's probably in the same camp that wants to mandate exactly how people's food stamps are used as well! (A previous post of mine...)
Yes it WAS mean and disrespectful of him.
It's usually those types (with little self respect) that need to tear oters down to build up their own shell which is really just a house of cards. I feel sorry for your SIL, especially!

...And yes, an employer contributes, and you can look at any old pay stub and get an idea of how much per pay you have contributed. BUT you don't need to justify anything to this jerk!

Unemployement is an insurance that your employer is required by law to pay for, for it's employee's. At least that is how it is in our state and I wouldn't think that would be different in other states. The amount you are paid is based on your salary, I have never heard of it collecting to be paid back to you, that would be social security. That is why you can be denied if you quit your job instead of being fired or layed off, because you chose that so the employer's insurance can reject the claim. I would search on your states unemployment site and find out how it works for sure, but no it is not publicly funded either way....

Unemployment is for anyone that is deemed unemployed for allowed circumstances, by your State's unemployment agency who pays you.
If he were unemployed... and getting unemployment checks... I am sure he would be tooting a different tune.

In the future, I would NOT invite your BIL to your house again.
He obviously gets great joy... from seeing you hurt and miserable and that he can... put you down.
He is ABUSIVE and an *ss... and a jerk.
I am so sorry he did that to you.
Hold your head up high... don't get into a tussle with him. He is immature, a Ego maniac... and worth ignoring.

HOW THE HECK... did your Husband... DEFEND you while this was going on?????
If they all just sat there.... LETTING your BIL do this to you and rant on and on and on AT you... I would say they are all jerks.
How dare they... do this to you in YOUR home... but how come you did not mention of anyone/husband/other family, defending you??? Did they?

Don't prove anything to them... just drop it.
Your BIL will NOT accept... any "proof" you provide to him. He will just know that he got your goat... and will always try to be superior to you.

Your employer matches what you put in. Here, it is 4%. Part time people still pay into unemployment but are not eligible to recieve it. Makes great sense huh?!

Dont let them get to you, if you have worked for 15 years you've put enough in to cover yourself. when your claim ends that's when you've drained your share so to speak. So if you continue to get extensions that's when you tap into the bigger pool.... at least that's the way I'd feel about it if I were on it. When you arent working your job is to find a job. We pay a very small percentage into the edd account from our paychecks but since EVERYONE pays in there is always enough to pool out.... except for now in California ours is a broken system so the California tax payers ARE paying for everyone's unemployment right now. Hard times.

I've been a bookkeeper and have prepared payroll in several different states for almost 30 years and I've NEVER heard of anyone paying into, or having deductions from their payroll checks for unemployment. Of course Unemployment varies from state to state, but I checked Michigan's website and found nothing to indicate that it is different from other states. Your employer pays into the state's fund. Also employer's pay in different amounts/percentages based on an experience rating.

And I hate to say it, but in a way BIL is correct. Since your receiving extended benefits, these benefits are being funded from the federal government, which gets it's money from the tax payers. Of course, this includes you because you are paying income taxes on the benefits you receive.

Unemployment benefits are NOT something that you pay into and then get back. Many workers will never collect any unemployment benefits throughout their entire lifes, while others may collect benefits every year.

It seems like BIL was implying that you are collecting welfare benefits which is a whole another ballgame.

Your BIL is very unkind to say those things, especially given his wife's situation. She s going to school on the taxpayer's dime. EMPLOYERS pay the majority of the "Unemployment Insurance" quarterly. The amount paid is based on a % of the gross payroll and how many unemployed people are drawing on that account. Indirectly, everyone is paying for the unemployment benefits because when the unemployment goes up, business needs to raise their prices to help pay for it and the way our government is NOW...who knows who is paying what, they just keep "borrowing" money through taxing all of us, our kids and grandkids in the future. I would drop it with the BIL, arguing about what boils down to politics doesn't do well when it is your family. Not worth alienating.