As to your question, the short version is, if you still have any money left in the benefits to which you are entitled, you can still collect from the initial claim (unless, as mentioned before, changes in the rules require you to refile), provided you are unemployed again within two years (here in Pennsylvania, at least). If you are out of benefits after that period of time, you’ll have to refile, and how much you eligible to receive in benefits will be based on that six month work stint, which may be less than you were getting before, or perhaps more, depending on what you earned at your job. I think (emphasis, think) that you are can refile for benefits even if you are employed for less than a year, although, I’m still waiting for my confirmation after I refiled, so I’m still a little nervous on that point.

Let’s say you were able to get $12,000 in benefits your first year and you get it. You work 6 months, and then become unemployed again. Do you get another $12,000 worth of benefits in the next 12 months, or do you have to wait 6 months to get the 12 months benefits etc?
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I was laid off of work from a company called Minrad in November of 2008. I filed for unemployment, received approval, and started collecting. Since then, I’ve held several part time and temporary jobs. When you work part time, you can still collect unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania, although the amount you receive may be reduced. (You have a certain amount as a ‘part-time work allowance’ which you can earn while still collecting full unemployment benefits; beyond that amount, your benefits are reduced a dollar for each dollar you earn.)

When you work full time, though, you are unable to collect unemployment at all. BUT, your claim still remains active, so that if your job ends for whatever reason during the time your initial claim is active, you can start collecting again under said original claim, rather than having to file all the paperwork again. It’s somewhat time saving, as well as ensuring that you can take a temp job, even one that pays significantly less, without destroying your ability to collect unemployment benefits at the higher rate associated with your last full time position.

Unfortunately, my initial claim (the one from when I left Minrad) ran out, as it’s been a year since I initially filed it, even though It hasn’t paid out all the money that was promised yet. Luckily, I am able to refile, but it’s still a pain in the bureaucratic rump (to say nothing of being short of cash during the busiest shopping month of the year, although that might be a blessing in disguise).

Do you mind explaining further, as I wasn’t around in late 2008. You received unemployment benefits end of 2008, which ended i’m assuming since you found your most recent job, but now there’s some red tape to get another set of unemployment benefits again?
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