# Can i still coll\[e\]ct unemployment if I move out of the country? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 19, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312 "2009-06-19T18:32:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![satoridt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@satoridt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/satoridt)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/1 "2009-06-19T18:32:15Z")
I recently got laid off due to budget cuts (thanks Pawlenty!). One option i am considering is teaching English in Taiwan. My brother did it and had a great experience. The work would only be part time and i have a tone of student loan debt. Can i still collect partial unemployment if i live in Taiwan? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/2 "2009-06-19T18:52:14Z")
See … [ul] [li][http://www.uimn.org/ui/faq\_elig.htm[/li][li]http://www.uimn.org/ui/fraud.htm[/li][/ul]](http://www.uimn.org/ui/faq_elig.htm%5B/li%5D%5Bli%5Dhttp://www.uimn.org/ui/fraud.htm%5B/li%5D%5B/ul%5D) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/3 "2009-06-19T19:18:00Z")
> [@satoridt](#): > > I recently got laid off due to budget cuts (thanks Pawlenty!). One option i am considering is teaching English in Taiwan. My brother did it and had a great experience. The work would only be part time and i have a tone of student loan debt. Can i still collect partial unemployment if i live in Taiwan? I’ve read Nigerian con spams more literate than your post. You might want to reconsider teaching English. For example, “I”, the pronoun, is always capitalized. Collrct is spelled “collect”. “Tone” is spelled “ton”. A second grade student shouldn’t make the mistakes you made. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/4 "2009-06-19T20:03:17Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > I’ve read Nigerian con spams more literate than your post. You might want to reconsider teaching English. For example, “I”, the pronoun, is always capitalized. Collrct is spelled “collect”. “Tone” is spelled “ton”. A second grade student shouldn’t make the mistakes you made. This sort of snark isn’t permitted in the General Questions forum. Please do not do this again. No warning issued. **Gfactor** General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/5 "2009-06-19T20:10:38Z")
Fixed spelling in thread title. **Gfactor** General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/6 "2009-06-19T20:22:07Z")
If you are working you can’t legally draw unemployment. There are, I think, some exceptions in some states if you’re only making diddly squat. But my guess is that whatever you’d be making teaching english would be, at the least, squat and so over that possible limit. ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/7 "2009-06-19T20:32:54Z")
I don’t have a definitive answer to the living overseas part, but in general to collect unemployment while working part time, you need to be available for and looking for full-time work, and demonstrate that to the unemployment office. ---
**Author:** ![satoridt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@satoridt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/satoridt)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/8 "2009-06-20T05:12:20Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > I’ve read Nigerian con spams more literate than your post. You might want to reconsider teaching English. For example, “I”, the pronoun, is always capitalized. Collrct is spelled “collect”. “Tone” is spelled “ton”. A second grade student shouldn’t make the mistakes you made. I wrote it on my iPod. Thanks for the constructive post though, you’re a real gem. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/9 "2009-06-20T05:14:29Z")
> [@satoridt](#): > > I wrote it on my iPod. Thanks for the constructive post though, you’re a real gem. I already asked him to quit the snark, lets not continue the hostilities. **Gfactor** General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![runcible\_spoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@runcible\_spoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runcible_spoon)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/10 "2009-06-20T05:26:58Z")
Ok, so forgetting the part-time bit, what about generally? Sticking with the English-teaching job, what happens if you get laid off of that? Can you collect unemployment? Alternately, supposing I’m already collecting unemployment (like, if I’m laid off now), and I move to Taiwan looking for an English teaching job. Can I collect unemployment while I’m there? ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/11 "2009-06-20T05:53:56Z")
Jurisdictions vary on the treatment of part-time work. Here’s a typical scheme: > [@](#): > > If you are working part-time, your Weekly Benefit Rate will be reduced by an amount equal to two-thirds (2/3) of your gross wages for that week, rounded to the nearest dollar. To be eligible for this payment the law provides that: > > -you must be employed less than full-time; the number of hours you are working during the week is less than the number of hours > customarily considered to be full-time for that job and/or employer; > -you must be able to work and available for work as defined by law; > -you did not refuse additional hours. [404 error](http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/progsupt/unemplt/new-faqui.htm#7) Many states permit you to leave the jurisdiction and keep getting benefits: > [@](#): > > 1. I’m moving … What can I do about my Unemployment Insurance Benefits? > > If you move out of Connecticut, you may continue to file for Unemployment Compensation Benefits from out of state. This is called an Interstate claim. Connecticut will still be the paying state so you must continue to meet all Connecticut eligibility requirements. The toll-free number for the Interstate Claims Unit is 1-800-942-6653. [404 error](http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/progsupt/unemplt/new-faqui.htm#13) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/12 "2009-06-20T06:18:21Z")
What state do you live in? ---
**Author:** ![satoridt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@satoridt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/satoridt)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/13 "2009-06-20T15:16:21Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > What state do you live in? Minnesota ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/14 "2009-06-20T15:25:10Z")
> [@](#): > > What does available for work mean? > > ``` > Available for work means you are ready and willing to accept work in your usual occupation or other suitable employment. > > This includes being: > > * ready to accept work immediately if employment is offered to you. **You are not eligible if you are out of the area for a reason other than to seek work.** > * willing to accept employment for all shifts and days that are normal for your occupation. > * willing to accept the wage most employers in your area pay for your occupation for someone with your qualifications and experience. > * willing to commute a reasonable distance to work. > > Being available also includes having transportation, such as a personal vehicle, public transit, or car pool, and making necessary family care arrangements. > > ``` (Emphasis added.) [http://www.uimn.org/ui/faq\_elig.htm](http://www.uimn.org/ui/faq_elig.htm) ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/15 "2009-06-20T16:24:27Z")
> [@satoridt](#): > > I recently got laid off due to budget cuts (thanks Pawlenty!). One option i am considering is teaching English in Taiwan. My brother did it and had a great experience. The work would only be part time and i have a tone of student loan debt. Can i still collect partial unemployment if i live in Taiwan? It depends on the laws of the two countries you’re moving between. Some countries have treaties concerning unemployment benefits. For instance, someone who is collecting unemployment benefits in Germany can move to the UK and still collect their benefit; their claim will be transferred from the German Arbeitsamt to the UK Department of Work and Pensions, and then be paid to them by the DWP in pounds. I suspect this arrangement holds for all countries within the EU. The best thing to do is to contact your local unemployment office and ask whether it’s possible to continue to collect your benefit abroad, or whether there is any provision to transfer the benefit to the relevant unemployment office in Taiwan. Even if that’s not possible, you may be able to make a new claim for unemployment in Taiwan, provided you are eligible. (In most jurisdictions, this would mean that you have legal permanent residency status. If you’re just there on a temporary visa, you probably won’t be able to collect anything.) ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/16 "2009-06-20T16:54:52Z")
I work for Unemployment in New Jersey. I do not know what state you are in nor is the advise I’m going to give be specific to you in your situation. As far as NJ is concerned if you are working under 32 hours a week and earning less than your partial benefits you can live anywhere that we have a reciprocal agreement with. That means any US State and PR as well as Canada. I do not know of any other country you can move to and still collect unemployment benefits in. ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/17 "2009-06-20T20:33:49Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > It depends on the laws of the two countries you’re moving between. Some countries have treaties concerning unemployment benefits. For instance, someone who is collecting unemployment benefits in Germany can move to the UK and still collect their benefit; their claim will be transferred from the German Arbeitsamt to the UK Department of Work and Pensions, and then be paid to them by the DWP in pounds. I suspect this arrangement holds for all countries within the EU. Given the rather unusual status of Taiwan on the world diplomatic scene, it strikes me as somewhat unlikely that the United States would have signed a treaty with them concerning unemployment benefits. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/18 "2009-06-20T23:02:55Z")
You know what happens when you lose your job teaching English in South Korea? You leave the country. Also, South Korea does have unemployment insurance but for E-2 visa holders, they cannot draw the bennies. That’s why we don’t pay into the UI fund. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2009, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/19 "2009-06-21T00:34:52Z")
> [@MikeS](#): > > Given the rather unusual status of Taiwan on the world diplomatic scene, it strikes me as somewhat unlikely that the United States would have signed a treaty with them concerning unemployment benefits. Or concerning anything, for that matter, since we don’t officially recognize their government. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2009, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312/20 "2009-06-21T02:24:55Z")
Are we talking legally or practically here? I’m under the impression that nowadays any kind of verifications for unemployment is done via phone. So, I would think as long as your cell phone works in Taiwan, you could get by. They are certainly not going to be informed about your Taiwanese earnings. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-still-coll-e-ct-unemployment-if-i-move-out-of-the-country/500312.md?page=2)