**** & Others - Unemployment benefits related question

[Unemployed03]

I am a GC holder and was recently layed-off by my company. I am planning to file for unemployemet benefits, but wasn't sure if filing for unemployment benefits affect's your credit history in any way? Does this affect you negatively in any other way (mortgage applications etc.)? Any impact on the GC?

All responses are greatly appreciated.

[sandeepM]

I remember a question in one of the employment forms--" have you ever applied for unemployment compensation?"
This is question that may be asked if you apply for a job in another company later....I don't know if there is any impact of answering "yes"
Maybe with the current economy, answering yes won't make any difference

[sadiq]

I would be surprised if it made a difference when applying for a job. Reduction in forces are common these days. PRs are eligible for unemployment since it supposedly comes from a fund paid for by employers. The more a company terminates employees (excepting gross misconduct, deriliction of duty etc.) the more it’s insurance payments will increase. Green card holders should beware of collecting other government benefits like food stamps. One loophole is to collect benefits for American born children (like AFDC – some foreign grad. Students have done this) if applicable, since in that case the state is paying them to citizens (note: not advocating this, just stating my understanding).

In regards to the question, did they mean unemployment benefits or suing the company? If it’s the former, the new employer would probably figure it out when you give out your employment history in the application forms, since you are usually asked to list why you left the particular employer (i.e. laid off).

Rgds,
sadiq

[vsc_babu]

No, except that you should be careful when traveling abroad for a long duration (>180 days.) The risk of becoming a public charge is higher when you are unemployed, and becoming a public charge is a ground of inadmissibility.

Can you please elaborate more on issue with public charge ? I was terminated by my employer and looking to change employer, at the
same time I am considering filing for unemployment to survive ? Is
it worth the risk? Does the income get reported differently on W-2?