Are Head Start employees permitted to collect unemployment during non-school times in your area?

Question

This question is for Head Start employees: Are you permitted to collect unemployment during summer break and long holidays during the school year? In what state are you working?

Answer 1

Nope, we are not.  It's a pre-set time when you will be unemployed, so you are not allowed to receive benefits.  This a federal program, not a state level decision.  

In May or so, go around to different daycares and afterschool summer camps.  They often need those 21+ to drive vans and serve as teachers.

Answer 2

Not in GA. Their paychecks are spread out so they continue getting paid during the summer months and the whole year.  It makes the pay less doing it this way.

Answer 3

In NYS Head Start is year round.  Days off only for federal holidays.  Earned paid vacations.  And there ARE benefits.  Unemployment is only for the unemployed who may have been laid off.  But, I'm sure each state is different, so check with your school board.

Answer 4

In GA some of the Pre-K and Head Start teachers get a letter stating that they have been temporarily laid off and then will be rehired so they can get unemployment, but that is highly unethical. It is total abuse of the system and future employers may not higher you if they find out you do it.

Answer 5

I work for Head Start in PA and we can not collect it. But I get my pay spread out all year so I still get a paycheck in the summer

Answer 6

TX - no - pay spread out over 12 months with summer off

Answer 7

i work for HS in illinois, yes we get unemployment during the summer months when we are off. it is a small amount tho

Answer 8

I am not a head start employee but I am the chair of the policy council. The options that are not full day/full year are able to collect unemployment during the summer. The weeks off during the school year are paid vacations. Champlain Valley Head Start Burlington Vermont.

Answer 9

In Massachusetts they are.  Employees of any sort can claim during times that the business does not offer work at their usual schedule.