Can the USC file for unemployment benefits?

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Hi there everyone,

This is my first time in the removing conditions forum (me being the the permanent resident). I was granted permanent resident status in september so I have a while to go before removing conditions yet.

However, in January, my husband (the USC) got fired unexpectedly from his job. We have been on the job search together since then and although several promising leads have come up, they have all fallen through. We are both feeling very depressed about the whole situation but we somehow managed to come up with the money for our rent and bills last month. This month we are really struggling and don't think we will be able to make it this time.

I just wanted to ask if anyone knows if my husband is allowed to claim unemployment benefit? I know that as the permanent resident, I would not be able to, but would he? It's all very confusing because I thought they granted me permanent resident status based on his job and his income that would support me? We don't want to hinder my application for removing conditions in 18 months time but we are really worried and don't know which way to turn now.

Advice is very much appreciated! Thank you.

Edited March 13, 2011 by RUSSandRACHEL

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Yes the USC can claim un-employment, I am confused why he didn't do this the same day he was fired.

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

Hi there everyone,

This is my first time in the removing conditions forum (me being the the permanent resident). I was granted permanent resident status in september so I have a while to go before removing conditions yet.

However, in January, my husband (the USC) got fired unexpectedly from his job. We have been on the job search together since then and although several promising leads have come up, they have all fallen through. We are both feeling very depressed about the whole situation but we somehow managed to come up with the money for our rent and bills last month. This month we are really struggling and don't think we will be able to make it this time.

I just wanted to ask if anyone knows if my husband is allowed to claim unemployment benefit? I know that as the permanent resident, I would not be able to, but would he? It's all very confusing because I thought they granted me permanent resident status based on his job and his income that would support me? We don't want to hinder my application for removing conditions in 18 months time but we are really worried and don't know which way to turn now.

Advice is very much appreciated! Thank you.

Yes the US Citizen can file for Unemployment benefits - it's a type of insurance available to those who worked so take advantage of it. Unemployment is not means tested government benefits.

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Yes the USC can claim un-employment, I am confused why he didn't do this the same day he was fired.

Thank you. The reason was because we were confused as to whether it would affect my application for Removing Conditions when the time comes. This really is a last resort.

Thank you too RICARDO4EVA2! Thats very helpful.

Edited March 13, 2011 by RUSSandRACHEL

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

a LPR can file it too - for the record.

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/299997-can-the-usc-file-for-unemployment-benefits/

check this out

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

a LPR can file it too - for the record.

L...? Permanent Resident? Do you mean me? I thought that was a big no, no? Especially as I haven't started work within the United States yet either? We want to make sure we're doing everything correctly and following the law. I don't want to claim things that I am not permitted to because of my status.

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

L...? Permanent Resident? Do you mean me? I thought that was a big no, no? Especially as I haven't started work within the United States yet either? We want to make sure we're doing everything correctly and following the law. I don't want to claim things that I am not permitted to because of my status.

LPR = Legal Permanent Resident

Employment can ONLY be given to those individuals who has worked and paid into the insurance/benefit. If the LPR has never worked won't get any benefit. But yes.. they qualify for that too.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

L...? Permanent Resident? Do you mean me? I thought that was a big no, no? Especially as I haven't started work within the United States yet either? We want to make sure we're doing everything correctly and following the law. I don't want to claim things that I am not permitted to because of my status.

If you haven't worked and put into unemployment, then no you can not claim it. But it seems as if your husband have worked long enough in the US job market to have claim to unemployment benefits. p.s sometimes too much information confuses the ask er. Most states have it that you can start your unemployment claim on-line.

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Ahh I see. Thank you both!

LIFESJOURNEY - you're right about too much info. I'm still a little confused with regards to the permanent resident though. What about the affadavit of support and not claiming benefits etc... and being a public charge? I was under the impression that I was not allowed to claim ANY public assistance.

Edited March 13, 2011 by RUSSandRACHEL

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

Ahh I see. Thank you both!

LIFESJOURNEY - you're right about too much info. I'm still a little confused with regards to the permanent resident though. What about the affadavit of support and not claiming benefits etc... and being a public charge? I was under the impression that I was not allowed to claim ANY public assistance.

I told you previously that IT (unemployment) is not a means tested benefit.. it's more like insurance. .. it has no effect on the Affidavit of Support.

[Helen Louise Pile 80]

Hello Rachel,

As a UK citizen you may be eligible for help from these guys: http://www.britcharity.org/About/WhoWeAssist.htm

Good luck to you and your husband with everything!

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

INFRO regarding unemployment benefits:

USC

1. IF they worked and have contributed to the insurance/benefit for unemployment they can make a claim.

2. Unemployments benefit is counted as income for the IRS/tax benefit

3. Most states have an on-line process available for the petitioner to start their claim.

LPR

Steps 1-3 listed above is also available if the LPR have worked and contributed to the unemployment benefit.

Unemployment claim is not considered to be a means benefits.

Note: I think our employment benefits is a little different in the US than in England, here you must have worked and contributed before you can claim.

So tell hubby to go-online NOW and start his claim, even if he was fired.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Rachel--

Removing conditions doesn't have any proof of income or an Affidavit of Support if that's what you're worried about. People send tax transcripts only for the purpose of showing they filed jointly. It's not about the money or lack of.

[Sergi9 110]

Hi there everyone,

This is my first time in the removing conditions forum (me being the the permanent resident). I was granted permanent resident status in september so I have a while to go before removing conditions yet.

However, in January, my husband (the USC) got fired unexpectedly from his job. We have been on the job search together since then and although several promising leads have come up, they have all fallen through. We are both feeling very depressed about the whole situation but we somehow managed to come up with the money for our rent and bills last month. This month we are really struggling and don't think we will be able to make it this time.

I just wanted to ask if anyone knows if my husband is allowed to claim unemployment benefit? I know that as the permanent resident, I would not be able to, but would he? It's all very confusing because I thought they granted me permanent resident status based on his job and his income that would support me? We don't want to hinder my application for removing conditions in 18 months time but we are really worried and don't know which way to turn now.

Advice is very much appreciated! Thank you.

Anyone who has worked and contributed can file unemployment. The "claim" will be approved or denied based on the work history of the person who files. If your hubby got fired for "cause" in most states he is not eligible. If there was no fault on the claim he will probably be approved. The payments vary from state to state and are based on his last 2 quarters of income in most cases.

Most states are set up with an online system to generate the claim, go online and see if it will let you estimate the benefits. They will verify the reason for the termination after the claim is filed.