just wondering...

[elphie]

We currently have a six month EF but I was thinking today that we may in fact have more than that, depending on how I choose to calculate it. My husband works construction and it is not uncommon for us to use his unemployment benefits for a few weeks in the winter. I know how the process works, I know how reliable it has been for us in the past, and I know that we haven't needed it in nearly two years so there is plenty of money paid into my husband's "account" (the money his employer pays into the program, considered unemployment insurance). If I take the projected unemployment benefits into consideration then we actually have a full year of EF, even considering that the benefits would expire after 6 months, regardless of the amount paid in.

My question... do you consider unemployment benefits when calculating your emergency fund? I would never consider it as a sole EF, you never know what may happen and when the state may say they can't pay but just as an extension of an already healthy EF I'm considering listing it in my budget book. I'm interested in your thoughts on this villagers.

[pbobber]

I do not consider unemployment when considering EF. Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs so you can't guarantee that you will receive unemployment benefits during emergencies. Personal leave due to medical or personal reasons come to mind.