Question about collecting unemployment

[Autumnchik 6]

I am in tears right now. My hubby just came home and told me he got laid off today. He is a carpenter and has worked at this company for a little over a year. Two other guys also got laid off, but of course, the owner's son, who was hired a week ago, still has a job. All three of the guys who were laid off were coincidentally at the year mark where they were about to go on the company's insurance plan. I am going back to work on Monday after being off for 3 months of maternity leave. However, we had planned and budgeted for that time off, but did not budget for my son's surgery and additional medical expenses. So, I am really stressed right now because we really need hubby's income to be able to pay all our bills. This could not come at a worse time.

Anyway, my question is: he has a 2 year green card. Is he eligible to collect unemployment?

[Emancipation 2]

I am in tears right now. My hubby just came home and told me he got laid off today. He is a carpenter and has worked at this company for a little over a year. Two other guys also got laid off, but of course, the owner's son, who was hired a week ago, still has a job. All three of the guys who were laid off were coincidentally at the year mark where they were about to go on the company's insurance plan. I am going back to work on Monday after being off for 3 months of maternity leave. However, we had planned and budgeted for that time off, but did not budget for my son's surgery and additional medical expenses. So, I am really stressed right now because we really need hubby's income to be able to pay all our bills. This could not come at a worse time.

Anyway, my question is: he has a 2 year green card. Is he eligible to collect unemployment?

Hey gal.. i'm pretty sure he's eligible.. I know CT has a 1 year of employment requirement that I didn't meet when i lost my job a while back, but other than that it looked okay for me to collect. His employer's paid in, so I'm thinking why wouldn't he be?? It didn't seem to mention anything about being a PR or any stipulation - just that you had to have worked in the state and show 1 yrs history. I know hubby applied in like 10 min over the phone for CT UI.. Hope it's the same in NH

SOOOO sorry to hear that my friend.. it must be so frustrating... Hang in there.. THis is the LAST thing you two need with everything going on with baby

[Flames9_RN 358]

As usual I have nothing bright to add, but sorry and hoping all will work out for the best. Hopefully he can collect unemployment until he starts a new job. Craiglist.org is always good to find those under the table jobs!!

[MissStacey 1]

I'm so sorry Autumn. Big hugs to you, Ron and the babe.

I wish you were here in New Orleans. He would be so busy he wouldn't know which end was up.

[MrsCat 6]

So sorry to hear.

My guess would be that he would be entitled to Unemployment benefits. If he's authorized to work in the US, and can search for work legally, and his employer had paid into it - I would think this is a benefit he could make use of. So so sorry at this difficult time.

[Mephys 2]

I have nothing to add either, but I hope you sort it out for the EI or that he finds a new job soon !

[Krikit 1,164]

I am soooooooooooo sorry, Autumn. I know how terribly stressful this must be. Big hugs.

[zyggy 9]

Yes, he absolutely is entitled to unemployment benefits.

[MissStacey 1]

Have you been able to get anything sorted out yet?

[Autumnchik 6]

In answer to Stacey (pardon the whinge)

He went to all the major construction companies today and no one is hiring. He filled out online applications for Home Depot and Lowe's. Tomorrow, he is driving to a town an hour away to pick up an application, the job would be as a laborer not a carpenter and have a substantial cut in pay, but he can't be picky now. He went and filed for unemployment today and has an interview there on Thursday.

Today was my first day back at work and I missed Declan terribly and of course worried about the job situation.

ARGH!!! Neither of us has ever been in this position before. Carpentry jobs were plentiful in Vancouver and hubby had a great one with supervisory duties. I am sooooo regretting moving us up to the boonies of New Hampshire .... if we had stayed in Georgia, where I was living before, he would have had a lot more opportunity (being closer to 2 metro areas) ... but we can't go back in time so we just have to deal with this.

[Carlawarla 1]

Is he not part of the Carpenter's Union? He should hang out there, or let them know he's looking. Here's hoping he finds something soon...or gets those benefits arranged!

Sorry you had to go back to work as well. No paternity leave or benefits in NH? Just curious why you moved from Georgia? You make it sound recent, like just before your hubby came down? Sorry to be asking so many questions...just curious!

[Autumnchik 6]

Carla:

Hubby is not part of the Carpenter's union. I will suggest that to him, but not sure if there is much activity with that in our small town area.

I took 3 months off work at no pay for maternity leave. Maternity leave is horrible in the States and there is no paternity leave at his company.

I moved to NH 2 years ago. Hubby came to help me move, went back to BC, then got the visa and returned to NH. I had been working as a school social worker in GA. I found a position as a psychotherapist in NH. The National Health Services Corps repays my student loans, the agency pays my salary. It is a way to attract clinicians to underserved areas. Seemed like a great idea at the time, but we didn't take into account the difficulty my hubby would have getting jobs in his field. Also, the cost of living is higher here than GA and I took a pay cut with this new job, so we really need 2 salaries.

[Carlawarla 1]

Carla:

Hubby is not part of the Carpenter's union. I will suggest that to him, but not sure if there is much activity with that in our small town area.

I took 3 months off work at no pay for maternity leave. Maternity leave is horrible in the States and there is no paternity leave at his company.

I moved to NH 2 years ago. Hubby came to help me move, went back to BC, then got the visa and returned to NH. I had been working as a school social worker in GA. I found a position as a psychotherapist in NH. The National Health Services Corps repays my student loans, the agency pays my salary. It is a way to attract clinicians to underserved areas. Seemed like a great idea at the time, but we didn't take into account the difficulty my hubby would have getting jobs in his field. Also, the cost of living is higher here than GA and I took a pay cut with this new job, so we really need 2 salaries.

Having your student loans repaid must have been huge part of your decision making and sounds wonderful. The other parts of the reason for the move sucks though! He should google carpenters union just in the state and see where the local chapters are, and go from there. There might not be one right near your town, but they might be able to give him some leads.

I'm sure until he could find work in his field working for a lumber yard or HD or Lowes would be okay. I'm sure they'd LOVE to have him there.

Here's hoping things look up on the job front for him...and your family. You're blessed in so many ways otherwise.

[thetreble 19]

In answer to Stacey (pardon the whinge)

He went to all the major construction companies today and no one is hiring. He filled out online applications for Home Depot and Lowe's.

I used to work for a general contractor and since the housing market down turn, workers have been getting laid off right and left. Home Depot and Lowe's are also hiring at all time lows since they are laying off too. Even though my business was commercial construction even we were feeling the heat from the residential side of things.

Edited August 13, 2008 by thetreble