How long should a GC holder wait before filing for unemployment benefits?

G

greatgc

Registered Users (C)
Looking at the economy, in case the need arises, I would like to have the information handy on following :

1. For an EB based GC, how long should the GC holder wait before filing for the unemployment benefits?

If the GC was approved within past 6 months, should/can we file for the unemployment benefits?

2. Will there be any adverse effect of it on future citizenship application?

Thanks
 
greatgc said:
Looking at the economy, in case the need arises, I would like to have the information handy on following :

1. For an EB based GC, how long should the GC holder wait before filing for the unemployment benefits?

If the GC was approved within past 6 months, should/can we file for the unemployment benefits?

2. Will there be any adverse effect of it on future citizenship application?

Thanks
Click to expand...

You can apply even before you get the GC. There is for sure adverse effects on your future citizenship application, this is like petition and every thing is considered (what is your job, how much you earn, how about your tax filling .....etc). Some applicants are approved in few months, others pending for many years and many others get rejected. The US is already has many unemployed citizens and I think do not want to add more to the pool.
 
Thanks.

Another question-

what if I take unemployment benefits for a while and later on go back to the same employer during 5 years, prior to filing for the citizenship?

Any issues there? I can always say, every one knew, US had the highest unemployment rate in recent years during 2008.

I do not see an immediate need, but, looking at the state of economy always good to be prepared for any thing!
 
Unemployment benefit for a working wife

Hi,

My wife and I got GC in May 2008 on my petition. If my wife file for unemployment benifit, will there be any negative effect when we file for citizenship?

Thanks,
D
 
Unemployment benefits are not handouts from the government. You as an employee pay into an state mandated insurance fund which provides you coverage in case of unemployment. It has absolutely no effect on green card status or future citizenship application. You can file for it as soon as you are eligible; check with your state's agency.
 
I have another question:

I work as consultant , with the consulting firm HQ in a different state from my work location at fortune 500 since past 3 years.

I paid the taxes to the state where I am working and living since past 3 years.

I was browsing the filing instructions/eligibility for unemployment. In the form one has to mention employer's name. Question is, should one put the name of the consulting firm or the client site?

Thanks
 
I would not wait one day. If I needed the benefits, I more than deserve them because I have been contributing since H1B times long eight years ago.

My friend got unemployment benefit on GC and that never affected citizenship.
 
marlon,
Unless you live in New Jersey, I'm curious as to how you have been contributing to UI, since this is an employer-funded insurance, not a payroll tax.
 
marlon2006 and nkm-oct23 posts are 100% correct.

when i was still in the process of GC, i was able to get unemployment benefits.
i asked outright EDD if i am entitled to it and they said as long as i have contribution to it,
i am entitled to that benefit.
 
marlon2006 said:
I pay taxes like any citizen and that goes indirectly to UI.
Click to expand...


That's a stretch.

Note that low-wage earners, who do not pay any federal income tax, still get UI, so it is not based on employee 'contributions' whatsoever.

And it is employer-funded.
 
nelsona said:
Note that low-wage earners, who do not pay any federal income tax, still get UI, so it is not based on employee 'contributions' whatsoever.
Click to expand...
Well, it is indirectly based on employee contributions, as each employer contributes on your behalf based on the fact that you are employed with them and how much you are earning (among other factors). If you quit and they don't rehire you, they have less contributions to make. And low-wage earners are eligible to collect smaller benefits (they can't collect benefits that are more than X% of their wages).
 
Employers contributions are based on past lay-off practices, not merely the wages they pay. A company with no track records of lay-offs, pays very little for UI, compared to a smaller company, with a smaller payroll, which regularly lays workers off.

It is an insurance premium after all. The more claims made against a company (in the form of legitimate UI claims) , the higher the premium for that particular company.


The notion that the worker pays for UI, likley comes from confusion with the Canadian EI system, in which both the employer and employer pay a specific percentage of payroll tax to fund EI.

The US UI system is NOT predicated on such payroll taxes.

Think of it more like Workers comp.Mine operators pay more than IT firms, regardless of salary, because more claims are made against them.
 
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The bottom line is.. as long as there's a contribution to UI in your name, you can claim unemployment benefits.
 
My wife has worked in a State for 2.5 years. Now we moved to a different state a couple of months ago. Which state should I file for UI ?
 
nelsona said:
Employers contributions are based on past lay-off practices ...
Click to expand...
Which are among the "other factors" I mentioned.

The notion that the worker pays for UI, likley comes from confusion with the Canadian EI system, in which both the employer and employer pay a specific percentage of payroll tax to fund EI.
Click to expand...
You as a worker pay for it in the sense that it is part of the cost of employing you, so the employer will pay you somewhat less salary & benefits than if they didn't have to pay UI.
 
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