I was wondering what is your take on traveling while unemployed.
I am currently unemployed, but bought tickets to visit S.E. Asia. I was wondering what is your take on traveling while unemployed. I bought tickets from money I have saved while I was working. And if I don't notify my Labor department while I'm out of the country can they find out due to my passport being stamped at various customs checkpoints I visit. Also, if I collect unemployment while I'm out of the country will they know I'm out of the country with my passports being stamped at various customs checkpoints?
I know it's not correct to collect unemployment benefits while unemployed. Furthermore, is there a way for me to notify them that I'll be out of the country and have them not pay for those periods and pay me when I come back? Thanks! Any inputs would be greatly appreciated.
Reply to this I seriously doubt that there would be computer systems that would connect travelers and their destinations to the unemployment department and they are so swamped right now I seriously doubt they would pay someone to research that type of thing. I think if you can afford it you should wait until you return to even file for benefits. You do not have to file immediately, just keep in mind that if, for instance, if you started your claim in November of 2008, the base period you would use is July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008. The highest quarter during this base period is used to calculate how much you have earned. Make sure you will have a base period where you had a salary. You could file right away if you want and then file via the internet indicating that you did not make any job contacts for the time period in question. You will not collect any benefits and your claim will remain open and active as long as you continue to file every week (or two weeks). In most states everything can be handled via the internet.
Reply to this I've been unemployed for three months now and have been receiving benefits since November '09. My base period as you mentioned was this past year (2009). I understand the reasoning that they are too busy to monitor my traveling in and out of ports of call. I've done some preliminary research that some had done the same thing I'm thinking (claiming via internet while out of country), but were later "caught" several months later due to their passports being electronically monitored while out of the country. I don't mind not being paid the weekly benefits. I just to be able to pause or suspend it for those weeks I'm out of the country and continue when I return from my trip. I'm not sure if such a thing is possible. I consider myself an honorable person if such a way for me to not claim benefits and claim when I come back into the country would be ideal. I wouldn't make plans to leave the country if it were not for a sick grandmother who is wants to see her grandkids before she passes. Thanks again for any other responses.
Reply to this Hello Musert 😊
And if I don't notify my Labor department while I'm out of the country can they find out due to my passport being stamped at various customs checkpoints I visit.
No, I dont think they would find out like that. They might however send a letter to your house while you are gone, and if you dont respond to it, they might stop your unemployment payments.
I know it's not correct to collect unemployment benefits while unemployed.
What?
Furthermore, is there a way for me to notify them that I'll be out of the country and have them not pay for those periods and pay me when I come back?
I think there might be a risk that they will want to see your bank statements. You can have up to a certain amount of money only, if you are to claim unemployment benefits.
Also, they may consider themselves to be your employers, and expect you to be in the country looking for jobs, if you are to get unemployment benefits.
Maybe take a short trip, and have a friend or family member pick up you mail while you are away and make excuses for you if absolutely necessary. I wouldnt start complicating things, by telling the unemployment people the dates you will be in and out of the country. It can already be difficult enough to get all the paperwork sorted out, in these situations in some countries, without complicating things.
Mel
Reply to this I wouldn't make plans to leave the country if it were not for a sick grandmother who is wants to see her grandkids before she passes.
Just tell the unemployment people you are visiting your sick grandmother then. That is not really the same as travelling around the world for pleasure. I think the unemployment people will allow it and wont expect you to do without your unemployment benefits because of it. But, if you are just visiting your grandmother, you likely wont be gone for more than a couple of weeks at a time anyway, so there shouldnt be a problem. Just make sure you ask the unemployment people if they will be expecting to see you within the next couple of weeks or whatever before you make your plans to visit your grandmother.
Reply to this Musert, the answer to your question depends on where you live/what law applies. Where are you?
Reply to this I'm in Ga, but as mentioned there's too many stories on the internet about receiving a letter in the mail that my passport was flagged out of the country while unemployed and having to pay that money back. Luckily in GA all you have to do is register online or call every week to receive your weekly benefits. I know I can have someone do it for me while I'm out of the country. It's just the fact that several months later after I come back i get a call or a letter that I have been caught and have to pay that money back or even face charges. I really don't need that money while I'm out of the country since the currency in my country is so weak against the US dollar. I know the state runs the unemployment offices, but everyone knows through the modern convenience of computers I can be tracked where my passport is stamped. I hope that my clarify some misunderstandings.
Reply to this You're making the right decision in not collecting unemployment when you're out of the country on vacation/not looking for work.
Reply to this I was laid off in October 2009, and then headed to Rome, Italy for 6 weeks in November 2009. I contacted ny state unemployment and told them "I will be out of NY state from whatever date to whatever date, and will not be claiming my benefits until I return." They told me once I am back in NY State, to call them and let them know. That's exactly what I did. I ran into no problems once I came back, and I've been collecting since I've been back. I did not claim my benefits for the 6 weeks I was gone, and did not get paid nor reimbursed. Not including extensions, you have 52 weeks to collect 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. Don't try to collect while you are in Asia also. You might not get caught now, but in two - three years it can backfire on you and you will have to pay back the benefits you collected plus fines. And yes, I know 2 people that, that has happened too. I hope this helps! (when you call you states unemployment, don't mention you will be out of the country, just say you will be out of your state, they dont need to know that much!)
Reply to this Also, I forgot to mention I went abroad again in January and did the same thing, ran into no problems!
Reply to this ...three years it can backfire on you and you will have to pay back the benefits you collected plus fines.
Does anyone know how much the fines for this would be, in the various countries?
Reply to this Any benefits paid as a result of fraud (e.g., intentionally concealing information affecting unemployment eligibility) must be paid back (often with interest), and virtually every state provides for additional civil penalties (usually in the form of fines) and/or criminal prosecution. You may also forfeit the possibility of obtaining unemployment benefits in the future and may have a criminal record involving dishonesty/deceit which will have to be revealed when applying for jobs, loans, college, etc. In Florida, for example, unemployment compensation fraud is a third degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison, five years probation, and a $5,000 fine. But, really, common sense tells you not to collect unemployment benefits if you're out of the country gallavanting around on vacation. That's an abuse of the system and not the purpose of unemployment.
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