The Age of Dependency

In the first year of unemployment, the size of the benefit check is based on your old salary. You can go right back on unemployment after a temp job, and nothing changes. But federal law requires states to recalculate benefits for the second year. If you worked a few days or a few months, the second year's checks will be based on that lower earnings total.

People who went to work would have been have been better off staying at home if their unemployment continues for months in the new year.