Theoretical Unemployment question

[Scanner]

I work 2 jobs/careers. One is a business and the other is "per diem" work at a hospital where I am an hourly employee. I noticed on my check I pay SUI which is withheld on every check.

Let's just say for argument's sake, I make 50K/year in the business and 50K/year at the hospital in 2008 but my given hours drop off the following year where I only make 10K/year.

Am I entitled to underemployment money? Or would I have to be "laid off" in an official capacity to be eligible (disenrolled totally, rather than be given 0 hours)?

If I am not ever entitled, why am I even paying tax as a wage worker? To soley fund the possibility of a full time worker losing their job?

(thanks for answering. . .I am not interested in collecting, rather working, but I am just wondering why I am being taxed. . .unless it's not like SSI where it's a universal pay in and pay out)

I totally understand why I pay as a business owner - "That's just the way it is. . .you are a business owner, you are taxed." I don't resent it as it's just a cost of doing business. I am just trying to discern the reasoning from a casual worker point of view. Why tax casual employees?

I am thankful I don't really have to worry about this.

[MonkeyMama]

You wouldn't receive any benefits if you earn more than the max benefits. Though "officially" you would be eligible for UI, they reduce your benefits by any earned income.

Aren't you in California? SUI is paid by the employer. The only thing withheld besides FICA and withholding, should be SDI. (Disability).

In general, UI is funded by the employer. (I would assume the same for all states).

[disneysteve]

Aren't you in California?

Scanner is here in NJ.

[MonkeyMama]

I'm confusing him with someone else then.

Interesting, I googled New Jersey UI and you are correct. & I agree that it is unfair. Federally, employers pay a flat UI rate. In our state, they pay in based on employee turnover, etc. (If you never lay anyone off, you pay in very little. If you have a lot of UI Claims, you pay in more).

Sometimes, in situations like yours, you can opt out of these kinds of things. I am not familiar with New Jersey payroll though, personally. So I have no advice. I just wonder if you can opt out of UI if you are an employer, etc. Probably not, but in some instances you can.

[wincrasher]

If you are self employed and have no employees, you shouldn't be paying UI.

[Goldy1]

In Michigan where I am, you must be a full time worker(there are some rare exceptions which I od not know what they are) but the norm is p/t workers even if laid off can not get unemployment, not even prorated at a lesser rate.

I used to work 32 hours per week so if I had been laid off, no unemployment would have come my way.