In California, we do qualify for unemployment. Are you a member of any unions at your schools? They would be a good place to ask.
Edit to add: in CA I collect unemployment in both the summer and winter breaks. It’s totally dependent on the laws in your state contrary to what some in this thread are stating.
Yup, court decision in 1990 upholding this. Check with your union for exact filing details (time, addresses, info).
And hug a San Franciscan when you get a chance for the [Cervisi decision](https://www.cft.org/california-teacher/landmark-cervisi-decision-turns-25-part-time-faculty-won-unemployment-benefits)
Would I prefer my school(s) paid me a full time wage for full time work? Yes.
Is the next best thing that my community pays to take up a tiny bit of the slack caused by narrow minded employment structures? Also yes.
I'm in Michigan and have gotten unemployment during the summers, as have a number of other adjuncts I know.
You can't get unemployment during the scheduled breaks BETWEEN semesters -- we're on a 3 semester system, so only the break at Christmas is longer than a week anyhow. The explanation I've heard from admin is that this is the reason some schools put out "reasonable assurance of work" type statements saying you can't get unemployment -- not for the whole summer, but for the short breaks.
I will also say that if you haven't applied for unemployment before, it's a complete paperwork nightmare (at least here). Just be ready for that.
I still have bills on weekends, but I don't get paid on weekends. The idea is that you save money to pay those bills. If you're not paid enough, then the issue is low pay, not unemployment insurance during breaks.
lol thank you for explaining this to me, a lowly peasant. Do you get paid during school breaks? Do you realize bills tend to come once a month? What even is this comment
I am full time. We don’t get paid during breaks. Also, this victim-blaming attitude is gross and tired. What makes you think you deserve pay during breaks and other people doing the same job don’t?
thank you everyone who has comment so far with advice. i reached out to a labor lawyer friend as well and they gave me the following links that show that an adjunct _may_ qualify in illinois, depending on numerous factors. i’m going to go ahead and apply. i’ll update the post when i get an answer. fingers crossed lol.
https://www.clc-afo.org/category/documents/unemployment/
https://www.aaup.org/unemployment-compensation-contingent-faculty
Congrats on qualifying for unemployment, as you mentioned in a later comment.
If you did not already, definitely check with your state's social services to see if you qualify for Medicaid or the equivalent and food stamps! I ended up qualifying for both when I was between academic jobs, and it was a huge help.
My union tells me adjuncts can now file in New Jersey. I won’t qualify because it’s not my main income and would be over the threshold. If you have a union they may be able to guide you.
You _probably_ do not qualify for unemployment. First, were you paying into unemployment? Second, my understanding is that fixed-term jobs don't qualify for unemployment when they end, which is what happened to you. However, this is my recollection from what I looked into when I was an adjunct many years ago; things have changed, and also you are in a different state than I was.
If you're struggling for money and looking for work, there may be other good avenues with your skills, and that might make a good second thread. I would ask you keep this one up so it can be found if others have the same question in the future.
**Edit** : please see elsewhere in this thread, as many people have said it is possible.
This has been possible in some states for at least 25 years. There are even publications about it. In some states colleges do not advertise this because it’s not to their advantage. I read about it years ago.
Oh my. I was an adjunct within the past 25 years. I wish I had known then! Probably too late now, and I'm doing fine, but I'll spread the word with the adjuncts at my university.
Usually not. Loss of employment is different than your contract ending.
For years I would get my annual contract with wording like "Nothing in this contract should be construed as indicating the likelihood of future employment." They issued me these contracts year after year so that, if they wanted to lay me off, I wouldn't qualify for unemployment.
Your message feels unnecessarily hostile. I didn’t realize I would be judged for asking a question others might have experience with. For one of my schools, seniority _was_ the issue, as I am one semester away still from being allowed in the union and union members get first pick, then long time adjuncts, then new hires. I am the newest hire and I am guaranteed courses in the fall. At another of my schools, they do not offer my courses in the summer.
I spoke to a lawyer and I actually am eligible! If anyone responding in good faith wants the links explaining it, I am happy to post.
I don’t think I have to justify my choice to work as an adjunct. However, you are very condescending in assuming what options I do or do not have at my disposal.
One thing is clear from your message: your students must _adore_ you. Because of your compassion, down to earth attitude, and good humor. LOL.
Out of curiosity, are you always this aggressive or only when you think you are talking to someone with less standing than you? Your poor students!
> can't be bothered to use proper spelling and grammar
I'm not sure what you mean here. Sure, OP neglected capitalisation, but I don't see how that counts as either "spelling" or "grammar".
Given your flair as an assoc prof at a community college: I assume you have a theoretically-permanent, but perhaps practically-contingent position. So I understand (at a purely self-serving level) the desire to eliminate potential competition from adjuncts. But, honestly, your post just comes off as "I got mine, and will try my best to keep you from getting yours".
In California, we do qualify for unemployment. Are you a member of any unions at your schools? They would be a good place to ask. Edit to add: in CA I collect unemployment in both the summer and winter breaks. It’s totally dependent on the laws in your state contrary to what some in this thread are stating.
Holy smokes I had no idea. Also California here.
Yes. Look up EDD statute 1253.3(g) and consult your union if you have one.
Yup, court decision in 1990 upholding this. Check with your union for exact filing details (time, addresses, info). And hug a San Franciscan when you get a chance for the [Cervisi decision](https://www.cft.org/california-teacher/landmark-cervisi-decision-turns-25-part-time-faculty-won-unemployment-benefits) Would I prefer my school(s) paid me a full time wage for full time work? Yes. Is the next best thing that my community pays to take up a tiny bit of the slack caused by narrow minded employment structures? Also yes.
I'm in Michigan and have gotten unemployment during the summers, as have a number of other adjuncts I know. You can't get unemployment during the scheduled breaks BETWEEN semesters -- we're on a 3 semester system, so only the break at Christmas is longer than a week anyhow. The explanation I've heard from admin is that this is the reason some schools put out "reasonable assurance of work" type statements saying you can't get unemployment -- not for the whole summer, but for the short breaks. I will also say that if you haven't applied for unemployment before, it's a complete paperwork nightmare (at least here). Just be ready for that.
That’s dumb, we still have bills during breaks
I still have bills on weekends, but I don't get paid on weekends. The idea is that you save money to pay those bills. If you're not paid enough, then the issue is low pay, not unemployment insurance during breaks.
Are you not a salaried professor?
lol thank you for explaining this to me, a lowly peasant. Do you get paid during school breaks? Do you realize bills tend to come once a month? What even is this comment
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I am full time. We don’t get paid during breaks. Also, this victim-blaming attitude is gross and tired. What makes you think you deserve pay during breaks and other people doing the same job don’t?
thank you everyone who has comment so far with advice. i reached out to a labor lawyer friend as well and they gave me the following links that show that an adjunct _may_ qualify in illinois, depending on numerous factors. i’m going to go ahead and apply. i’ll update the post when i get an answer. fingers crossed lol. https://www.clc-afo.org/category/documents/unemployment/ https://www.aaup.org/unemployment-compensation-contingent-faculty
Good luck! 🍀
Yes in California. You can even teach the first session and collect unemployment the second session.
Congrats on qualifying for unemployment, as you mentioned in a later comment. If you did not already, definitely check with your state's social services to see if you qualify for Medicaid or the equivalent and food stamps! I ended up qualifying for both when I was between academic jobs, and it was a huge help.
In PA, adjuncts do qualify for unemployment.
My union tells me adjuncts can now file in New Jersey. I won’t qualify because it’s not my main income and would be over the threshold. If you have a union they may be able to guide you.
You _probably_ do not qualify for unemployment. First, were you paying into unemployment? Second, my understanding is that fixed-term jobs don't qualify for unemployment when they end, which is what happened to you. However, this is my recollection from what I looked into when I was an adjunct many years ago; things have changed, and also you are in a different state than I was. If you're struggling for money and looking for work, there may be other good avenues with your skills, and that might make a good second thread. I would ask you keep this one up so it can be found if others have the same question in the future. **Edit** : please see elsewhere in this thread, as many people have said it is possible.
I know adjuncts have successfully filed for unemployment though.
I hadn't heard of it before this thread, and thought it wasn't possible. I'll update.
This has been possible in some states for at least 25 years. There are even publications about it. In some states colleges do not advertise this because it’s not to their advantage. I read about it years ago.
Oh my. I was an adjunct within the past 25 years. I wish I had known then! Probably too late now, and I'm doing fine, but I'll spread the word with the adjuncts at my university.
Usually not. Loss of employment is different than your contract ending. For years I would get my annual contract with wording like "Nothing in this contract should be construed as indicating the likelihood of future employment." They issued me these contracts year after year so that, if they wanted to lay me off, I wouldn't qualify for unemployment.
This is the opposite in my state precisely because there was no reasonable assurance of employment.
Exactly. We are told by the union to cite the exact EDD statute that says BECAUSE we aren’t assured future work that we qualify.
I'm jealous you have a union. Mine crumbled under a Republican governor and now is formally dissolved.
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Your message feels unnecessarily hostile. I didn’t realize I would be judged for asking a question others might have experience with. For one of my schools, seniority _was_ the issue, as I am one semester away still from being allowed in the union and union members get first pick, then long time adjuncts, then new hires. I am the newest hire and I am guaranteed courses in the fall. At another of my schools, they do not offer my courses in the summer. I spoke to a lawyer and I actually am eligible! If anyone responding in good faith wants the links explaining it, I am happy to post. I don’t think I have to justify my choice to work as an adjunct. However, you are very condescending in assuming what options I do or do not have at my disposal. One thing is clear from your message: your students must _adore_ you. Because of your compassion, down to earth attitude, and good humor. LOL. Out of curiosity, are you always this aggressive or only when you think you are talking to someone with less standing than you? Your poor students!
I would love to see the links. Sorry someone was an asshole. Some people on this sub love to kick people when they’re down.
> can't be bothered to use proper spelling and grammar I'm not sure what you mean here. Sure, OP neglected capitalisation, but I don't see how that counts as either "spelling" or "grammar". Given your flair as an assoc prof at a community college: I assume you have a theoretically-permanent, but perhaps practically-contingent position. So I understand (at a purely self-serving level) the desire to eliminate potential competition from adjuncts. But, honestly, your post just comes off as "I got mine, and will try my best to keep you from getting yours".
Shut up lol