Unemployment Benefit for U.S. expat

[Bong123]

Hi, I am a U.S. expat working in HK and recently got let go by my company. I have worked in HK for the past three years, if I want to apply for unemployment benefits in the U.S., how do I go about doing that? Thanks.

[PDLM]

Presumably you first have to move back to the US!

[KarlA]

The last state you worked in should have a website, but you are probably not eligible unless it is a US based company, and even then it might be declined.

I would check with your company first, then just go to the webiste to try to apply. What can it hurt?

[jgl]

That'd be sweet- to receive unemployment benefits whilst sitting on a beach in Thailand

Somehow, I think that would be too glaring a loophole for the US government to allow to exist.

[shilo507]

That'd be sweet- to receive unemployment benefits whilst sitting on a beach in Thailand

Somehow, I think that would be too glaring a loophole for the US government to allow to exist.

Yes - leave that one to the UK Government.

[Tjjsp]

did you get an answer about if you can get unemployment benefit if you are laid off (counting that the company is a US based one).
I have a great offer to go start a branch office in HK. The original plan is this coming Jan 2009. But, I got cold feet and want to wait a bit now. Any comment on this?

[Bong123]

So, just want to clarify. I worked for a U.S. company in HK for the past three years. The U.S. company headquarter is in San Fran, but before I moved to HK, I worked in New York for another company (and been paying tax there for six years). For the past three years, I have been paying U.S. federal tax (a lot of tax), am I eligible to apply for unemployment benefits if I am let go? Which state should I apply for? I would find it hard to believe if I am not eligible for unemployment benefits like other U.S. employees just because I worked in another country yet still paid U.S. taxes. Anyone with experience please reply. Thanks.

[Alby]

Presumably you first have to move back to the US!

Know people currently doing this!!! A bit disturbing.

I do know that each did return to the USA on the returned ticket contractually promised to them by their company - set everything up in the USA then flew back to HK within two weeks. One was able to book a RT from Hong Kong, as it was cheaper than the one-way and even got the TA to issue the one-way receipt so the company reimbursed for one-way ticket and made a few thousand HKD from the transaction. When in fact the person flew on a round trip ticket.

Each has had to give a US address where they are supposedly living. Both have used their parents house because it is also in the state where their company is located.

They call in the hot line number every week, answer the phone questions and have the money deposited in their US bank accounts automatically.

One is backpacking through out Asia & Australia at this time.

Three others are studying Mandarin at a universities in Beijing and Shanghai at this time.