[PapaBear3625]

Last year I noticed that it seemed like only the lowest paid workers (fast food, retail) were working when everyone else got a paid vacation.

Part time workers are not eligible for unemployment benefits.

Businesses hire their low-tier workers as part timers, to avoid having to give them benefits like health insurance.

[CodeToad]

“Part time workers are not eligible for unemployment benefits.”

Yes, they are. There is a minimum earned amount, but hours worked is not a determining factor.

[Svartalfiar]

Part time workers are not eligible for unemployment benefits. Businesses hire their low-tier workers as part timers, to avoid having to give them benefits like health insurance.

Sure, part-timers don't get many, if any, benefits. But UI doesn't care about that, at least in most States. TX for example, to hit the minimum benefit amount, you need to have made a minimum total of $2590, spread between at least two quarters. That'll get you $70 a week.

[sitetest]

In my state, part-timers are eligible for unemployment.