Recently Unemployed

[Jay Honey 0]

Hopefully this is at least close to a good forum to post this. Sorry if it isn't.

Now some background info. I came to the US with a K1 visa over a year ago. I've had my Green Card for over half a year. I was working temporarily pretty much ever since until early this year when I got hired full-time. Sadly due to what the economy is right now and some other factors, I was one of the unlucky that got laid off thanks to keeping the company's balance books positive. I haven't fully started looking for a new job, but I have a couple places I'm going to be trying for.

Now the question. Am I eligible to collect unemployment benefits? I've read some of the things from USCIS website, but I find them kind of confusing. On one hand it looks like it says there's no problems, but then it says no. So here I am asking for assistance! The main confusing aspect is that I did enter the US with a K1 visa me and and my wife filed the affidavit of support along with the rest of the papers. We remember reading a clause there stating that if I become a public charge, she might end up being fined $50,000. We'd like to avoid that. Heh.

[Reyan 56]

Unemployment insurance is not a public charge. This insurance is paid by the employer for cases like yours.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

You're eligible as far as immigration is concerned. As mentioned above, Unemployment Compensation is not considered a means tested benefit. Employers pay a premium into an insurance pool to cover the cost of claims. If you file for Unemployment Compensation, your filing is considered a claim. Should you be awarded your claim, your employers rates paid into the pool will rise.

Go see your local Unemployment office and file a claim. As you haven't been working very long, you might not get much money. Most states pay based upon what you have earned in the past. For example, in my state, you are paid based upon the wages earned in the first four of the last five quarters. But any help you can get will be better than nothing, and won't jeopardize your immigration status at all.

[Jay Honey 0]

That's relieving to hear. Thanks you two. ^^