Comments on: Unemployment Benefits for Musicians

By: David J. Hahn

David J. Hahn — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 22:40:08 +0000

I don’t think so. At least none that I’m aware of.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 22:20:04 +0000

You mentioned that musicians who worked seasonal jobs such as on cruise ships might have difficulties with unemployment. I worked on cruise ships based out Washington state and was told that cruise ship employees were exempt from receiving unemployment benefits. Do you know if there are any special unemployment benefit programs for people who specifically work on ships?

By: Writing Samples

Writing Samples — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 21:30:57 +0000

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By: David J. Hahn

David J. Hahn — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:54:43 +0000

@Tommy Bruce –

I can tell you what happened with me. When I was on unemployment I got $360/wk. If I earned any money that week (note: earned, not received) I had to declare it. The amount I made was taken away from my $360 for that week. So if I made over $360 I received $0 in unemployment money. I could make $1 million dollars that week, and if I didn’t have work the next week I could file for unemployment (as I understand it). That week I make $0 still counted toward my total number of benefit weeks – so I lost a week.

By: David J. Hahn

David J. Hahn — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:07:40 +0000

Hi Brooke – I wish I could answer your question! I don’t know much more than what I have in the post above. My understanding is that all employees pay into the unemployment insurance program while they are working – so when they collect unemployment they are at least in part collecting some of their own money back.

As for whether your previous employer is notified…I’ve always wondered about that as well.

By: Brooke

Brooke — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:55:30 +0000

My husband has been with a band for 17 years as an employee (W-2). The band is taking a year break. If he files for unemployment, is the band notified of this request? It seems like a dumb question, but: who PAYS the unemployment?

By: Tommy Bruce

Tommy Bruce — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:43:38 +0000

What if you are getting unemployment insurance (tennessee) for three months then you get a one time income and a 1099 for $2500….of course that would knock you out of that week but would it knock you out of other weeks?….Also would that benifit be lost or rolled to end of you eligilibility?

By: Tucker

Tucker — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:58:10 +0000

This is a very interesting article and an idea that I would have never thought it but I am glad I am now aware of it

By: Carla Lynne Hall

Carla Lynne Hall — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:30:40 +0000

Great article!

By the way, as of March 2009, folks on Unemployment in New York State will be getting an additional $25 per week. I don’t know if it’s permanent, but it can’t hurt!

Carla

By: Mikael Elsila

Mikael Elsila — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:29:26 +0000

For those wanting some legal background, we did an article about musicians and unemployment benefits. See this link:

http://tinyurl.com/Allegro-Jan2007

Best,

Mikael

Mikael Elsila
Editor and Advertising Manager
Allegro: the newspaper of the New York City musicians’ union (AFM Local 802)
322 West 48th Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 245-4802, ext. 179 (office)
(646) 765-9663 (cell)
Allegro@Local802afm.org or
Melsila@Local802afm.org
(both e-mail addresses point to same address)