Grandparent quit to babysit? No unemployment comp

Child care is expensive, and many parents eager to avoid high day-care costs ask their own parents to watch the kids. That’s great if it works out.

But in Pennsylvania, grandma and grandpa can’t expect to collect unemployment benefits if they quit their jobs to take care of their grandchildren. When employees quit, they are allowed to collect unemployment only if the reason was “necessitous and compelling.” Watching grandchildren doesn’t cut it.

Recent case: Karen Dopson quit her job in order to take care of two young grandchildren while her daughter-in-law was taking part in advanced medical training. Dopson applied for unemployment compensation.

Her request was denied and she appealed, arguing that a parent who is unable to find child care can quit and get benefits. The court refused to expand that to grandparents. (Dopson v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, No. 1129 C.D. 2009, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, 2009)