Claiming unemployment as H2B visa holder

[LaceyDaisy 0]

I'm currently in the U.S. on an H2B work visa. While I don't think I am eligible to claim unemployment, my husband thinks that if I am paying into it, then I should be able to claim.

I am paying into my state's unemployment, it is clearly stated on my pay stub. The reason we are wondering is because the hotel I am employed at closes during the winter, and is only open over the weekend. Lately I'm only working around 50 hours for a fortnight, and it's making my pay cheque a little hard to work with.

Sorry if this is answered elsewhere, I did try looking it up, but all the results I got back weren't relating to this specifically. If anyone knows anything, I appreciate any and all information. (: I'm not going to be at all surprised if the answer is no, though.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

But you are still employed with the hotel, right? Just that the working hours are cut?

[LaceyDaisy 0]

But you are still employed with the hotel, right? Just that the working hours are cut?

That's correct. My husband thought I could get partial unemployment because of how few hours I was working.

I'm still employed with them, but just on a (usually) 3 day basis.

[ItsGonnaBeWorthIt 191]

There is a unemployment website for every state and it also has a phone number if you Google unemployment and put your state after it , it will come up you can check eligibility and a phone number you can call.

Edited December 4, 2014 by ItsGonnaBeWorthIt

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Sounds like seasonal work industry.

You should go check your state Seasonal work laws, to see if you qualify for partial unemployment benefits.

[LaceyDaisy 0]

There is a unemployment website for every state and it also has a phone number if you Google unemployment and put your state after it , it will come up you can check eligibility and a phone number you can call.

Sounds like seasonal work industry.

You should go check your state Seasonal work laws, to see if you qualify for partial unemployment benefits.

Thank you very much!

[jan22 3,056]

You cannot get unemployment unless you are unemployed. As an H2b visa holder, if you are unemployed, you have to leave the US or you will be out of status. If your employer is not able to provide sufficient hours for you to make a living, you need to consider leaving the US, as the seasonal nature of the position requies.

[dnp2014 44]

An H2B visa is employer-specific. That is, for a given season once work is completed, regardless of whether the expiration date of the visa has passed, the individual holding the visa is required to leave the United States and return to his or her country of origin.

[LaceyDaisy 0]

You cannot get unemployment unless you are unemployed. As an H2b visa holder, if you are unemployed, you have to leave the US or you will be out of status. If your employer is not able to provide sufficient hours for you to make a living, you need to consider leaving the US, as the seasonal nature of the position requies.

An H2B visa is employer-specific. That is, for a given season once work is completed, regardless of whether the expiration date of the visa has passed, the individual holding the visa is required to leave the United States and return to his or her country of origin.

I'm not currently unemployed, since I'm still required to work Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus any holidays we're open. I was thinking my manager would be scheduling me (and my American co-workers) on during the other days for deep cleaning, to help us meet our hours. Since he didn't do that, my husband was just curious about my options.

Also, I'm unable to leave the US, as I'm in the middle of filing for an Adjustment of Status. (: