To get you through the rough patches, while waiting on unemployment or finding a new job, a cash job may be a good option. They are temporary jobs that do not result in a paycheck, but cash paid at the end of the day or week. There are plenty of cash jobs available in Michiana. However, taking a cash job does not exempt you from reporting the income to your employment security agency and to the IRS at the end of the year.
Tourism Jobs
Michiana is an area where many people go away for the winter and come back in the summer. This provides many opportunities for cash jobs. Here are a few to consider:
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You can find ads in area newspapers like The Herald Palladium, a publication that serves the the beach communities of St. Joseph’s & Benton Harbor. Also consider posting your own ads or signs in the area on Craigslist or other classified sites.
Labor and Scrap
Other jobs may present themselves in areas where the real estate economy has been hit hard by the recession. In these areas, developers are coming in and tearing down older homes to build new ones. This provides opportunities for day labor. A person with a truck can also earn cash by picking up scrap from these sites and turning it in for cash at the local recycling centers.
Extra Hands = Extra Cash
Contact the organizers of large events around Michiana on setup day or up to a week before the event. These places always need extra hands in pitching tents, setting up tables, cleanup the area and even for parking during the event and cleanup afterward. The Michigan City In-Water Boat Show, for example, is an annual event that hires a handful of people before the event. They are hired as independent contractors, as is normal for day labor and paid when the job is done.
Reporting the Cash
You must report the money you receive, be it as cash or in check form, if you receive unemployment or any other form of public assistance. For unemployment, report these amounts on your weekly claim form. Failure to do so can result in loss of your benefits or even criminal charges of fraud.
When working for cash, remember that the job is only temporary. Continue your job search and unemployment reporting, with the cash payment included. Look at your cash job as a way to earn extra cash, a possible resume entry and a little change of pace from your job search routine.
