Claiming Unemployment as an Immigrant

[allanr 4]

4 hours ago, janet3 said:

I’m sorry but there is not going to be a “work around”. I am a business owner that has 15 employees. I am struggling during this time to keep all of my employees healthy, housed and fed. 
But here’s the skinny...you have to have been working for at least 5 pay periods to claim unemployment (so they can set a standard and even then the employee will only get at the most 70% of their take home pay).

But lets get one thing straight.....your fiancé or wife came here to be with you (just a few weeks ago).... I think you are supposed to be the actual “bread winner” . Why are you concerned about what money she can make while you are not working? How are you supporting your new wife? 

Ok...first..i am working...like about 80% of other American couples, we planned on two incomes to support our lifestyle in the relatively expensive suburb we mutually decided to live in.  Next, what world do you live in that makes you think i have to be the sole breadwinner and support a young, healthy, college educated wife?   Seems like you are living back in the 1950's.   We have lived together for several years overseas and came here already married and on a CR1 visa...We are a team.   

 

I do agree about us not being eligible for unemployment...that's fine.   She doesn't really deserve it, but the crisis is going to negatively effect us like it will millions of others, and there are no other avenues of employment locally for the time being.   When I saw this thread I thought I'd throw in a comment however to see what people have to say.  

[NikLR 13,227]

12 hours ago, allanr said:

Getting into this thread a little late.... my wife didn't start work until early February, as we arrived in the USA late last year and then moved into our new home in January.  She lost her job when the preschool she worked at was mandated to close a week ago.   We live in Oregon.  The state unemployment website will not even allow us to file a claim.  They ask a question on their first page if the claimant had worked in Oregon before September 2019.  If the answer is no, it won't let you continue.

 

I've tried dozens of times to call their number but always (unsurprisingly) get either a busy signal or a did not go through message.

 

I don't have a huge issue with the logic behind this.  The counterarguments are that these are not normal times, and that we need her employment income to make ends meet in the USA.  Now that she is not working, we will be running at least a $1500 a month deficit in our income vs financial responsibilities.  The stimulus check I will eventually get will help of course.  I also have modest 401k money, but that has been hit hard by the market crash.  Not a great situation,  but others are doing far worse I'm sure.  We are glad to be in the USA and in a beautiful part of the country.

 

Anyone who has a possible workaround..please leave a reply.

Grocery stores are hiring right now.  While it's obviously below her education level, it's a job and can help offset the financial burden. 

 

As a note, my husband and I have always planned on our lives being able to survive off a single income.  That has worked well for us as Ive navigated the workforce here in the USA. 

[Lemonslice 4,853]

38 minutes ago, NikLR said:

Grocery stores are hiring right now.  While it's obviously below her education level, it's a job and can help offset the financial burden. 

 

As a note, my husband and I have always planned on our lives being able to survive off a single income.  That has worked well for us as Ive navigated the workforce here in the USA. 

That is always a great tip.  

[G.d 1]

takes a while apply unemployment oh boy not really fun 

[Malak1 57]

Hi everyone 

 

If a full time employee lost some of his /her hours , is there a max weekly amount he should be making  to qualify for unemployment insurance ,  There is a minimum weekly wage of $269 I found this information on the website 

 It’s possible, if they had at least 20 weeks of employment and earned an average weekly wage of $269 during the base period of the claim. See Question 8 for the definition of a base period.

[payxibka 10,045]

42 minutes ago, Malak1 said:

Hi everyone 

 

If a full time employee lost some of his /her hours , is there a max weekly amount he should be making  to qualify for unemployment insurance ,  There is a minimum weekly wage of $269 I found this information on the website 

 It’s possible, if they had at least 20 weeks of employment and earned an average weekly wage of $269 during the base period of the claim. See Question 8 for the definition of a base period.

There is no maximum earnings but a max weekly benefit.  

[Malak1 57]

55 minutes ago, payxibka said:

There is no maximum earnings but a max weekly benefit.  

I have a coworker he was earning more than $325 a week he was declined to get the unemployment benefits  in Ohio 

 

[payxibka 10,045]

27 minutes ago, Malak1 said:

I have a coworker he was earning more than $325 a week he was declined to get the unemployment benefits  in Ohio 

 

There must be more to the story.  I earn much more than $325 a week and the UI site says my weekly benefit is $740 which is the maximum benefit in MN.

[Malak1 57]

2 minutes ago, payxibka said:

There must be more to the story.  I earn much more than $325 a week and the UI site says my weekly benefit is $740 which is the maximum benefit in MN.

He showed us that he was declined to get the benefits, he requested to work less hours to be eligible. Is there also $600 per week on the top of state benefits ?

[Malak1 57]

7 minutes ago, payxibka said:

There must be more to the story.  I earn much more than $325 a week and the UI site says my weekly benefit is $740 which is the maximum benefit in MN.

So if I apply and I make more than $325 a week, what will I get ? My regular weekly pay check + $600?

Edited March 30, 2020 by Malak1

[payxibka 10,045]

4 minutes ago, Malak1 said:

So if I apply and I make more than $325 a week, what will I get ? My regular weekly pay check + $600?

You don't get 100% of your weekly earnings.   Its based on a formula 

 

I only checked the mn site and they indicate they don't have the complete guidance from the feds yet

Edited March 30, 2020 by payxibka

[janet3 1,170]

18 hours ago, allanr said:

Ok...first..i am working...like about 80% of other American couples, we planned on two incomes to support our lifestyle in the relatively expensive suburb we mutually decided to live in.  Next, what world do you live in that makes you think i have to be the sole breadwinner and support a young, healthy, college educated wife?   Seems like you are living back in the 1950's.   We have lived together for several years overseas and came here already married and on a CR1 visa...We are a team.   

 

I do agree about us not being eligible for unemployment...that's fine.   She doesn't really deserve it, but the crisis is going to negatively effect us like it will millions of others, and there are no other avenues of employment locally for the time being.   When I saw this thread I thought I'd throw in a comment however to see what people have to say.  

The I 864. That’s the crazy form that makes most of us live in the 1950s. 

[TBoneTX 45,313]

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[milimelo 4,481]

On 3/30/2020 at 4:47 AM, mazenkanso said:

hello guys,

hope you are all well anf fine.

i just want to ask , i just arrived one months ago with bith my wife and daughter to the US.

My wife was about to star  work at a place and got approved but was delayed because of the corona outbreak, and i have started studying for real estate.

now are we entitled to any claim of goverment benefits?

we have received the social security card but the green card has not yet arrived since it takes 3 month.

any help would be appreciated.

please take care

Based on what? No work history?  No, as a new LPR you're not entitled to government benefits. Your sponsor signed I-864 to take care of you - so go to that person. Additionally, perhaps stop studying for something that won't put food on the table now and get a job - lots of businesses hiring. 

[NikLR 13,227]

On 3/30/2020 at 4:38 PM, payxibka said:

You don't get 100% of your weekly earnings.   Its based on a formula 

 

I only checked the mn site and they indicate they don't have the complete guidance from the feds yet

They do have a calculator onsite at least on the Colorado site.  I used it with a rough estimate of my gross income (not net fyi and the calculator looked back to Oct 1 2018). It ends up being about half of my next income per week, and 38% of my gross income. 

Edited April 1, 2020 by NikLR