Unemployment benefits for furloughed H1Bs

Amazon
lomi

Go to company page Amazon

lomi
Mar 25, 2020 39 Comments

A friend on H1B got furloughed by his company. No work for a month, no salary. He is based in CA.
Can he file for unemployment benefits on EDD? Tried to look online but no first hand information available.
Some people saying filing unemployment benefits makes you ineligible for PR in future. Anyone know if thats true?
Covid19 is a special situation, not sure if there’s a special consideration for this.

comments

Want to comment? LOG IN or SIGN UP
TOP 39 Comments
  • Oracle
    AsdGhfa

    Go to company page Oracle

    AsdGhfa
    Depending on priority date, he will never get a PR anyway. So just file for unemployment benefits and look for another job. Pretty sure the unemployment benefits for Covid (at least in WA) are for all workers and not citizens.
    Mar 25, 2020 9
  • New
    yvgq72

    Go to company page New

    yvgq72
    Can a foreigner apply for unemployment benefits in India? The answer is straight forward.
    Mar 25, 2020 4
  • Seriously? If anything he is out of status, and instead of unemployment benefits, he must look for saving his status which he may already lost.

    As a H1 visa holder myself, I find it very entitled on the part of your "friend" that he has been worrying about benefits instead of his immigration status. How many Indians here would be okay if Indian government gives unemployment benefits to foreigners.
    Mar 25, 2020 3
    • Gilead Sciences / Other
      👑 virus

      Go to company page Gilead Sciences Other

      👑 virus
      @Amazon, this is probably an out of status situation. H1B rules clearly state that employee has to be continuously paid. If it's a month or two during which the paycheck is not issued, it can probably be explained as unpaid leave. But if unemployment is claimed at this time, it may lead USCIS to determine that payroll was stopped and there was a status violation.

      One exception to the H1B rule is medical leave but that doesn't apply here.
      Mar 26, 2020
    • Airbnb / Other
      b🧜🏻‍♀️

      Go to company page Airbnb Other

      b🧜🏻‍♀️
      I’m a US Citizen, born one, and I see nothing wrong with unemployment benefits to H1Bs. They have been paying taxes and paying into the system.

      Not sure about legalities but I hope no family is going hungry or worrying about bills. We never know anyone’s situation.
      Mar 29, 2020
  • Body By Vi / Eng
    techster

    Body By Vi Eng

    PRE
    NBCUniversal Media, LLC
    techster
    Only citizen or GC or EAD holders can get unemployment benefits...
    Mar 25, 2020 4
    • Uber
      .code>life

      Go to company page Uber

      .code>life
      Crazy that the concept of a nation and its people is a thing huh?
      Apr 8, 2020
    • Body By Vi / Eng
      techster

      Body By Vi Eng

      PRE
      NBCUniversal Media, LLC
      techster
      Update: H4 ead holders can get unemployment benefits but they might become public charge if they get benefits for 12 months or more.
      Apr 8, 2020
  • He does not qualify irrespective of public charge for PR. You have to be citizen to qualify.

    One month is not that bad. Dip into some savings. Learn a new skill. Or just chill.
    Mar 25, 2020 0