Section 2905.1  Unemployment Benefits to Noncitizens

A noncitizen can establish monetary eligibility (see Section 500 of the Unemployment Insurance Act (Act) [820 ILCS 405] and 56 Ill. Adm. Code 2720.1) to receive unemployment insurance benefits only to the extent and on the basis of wages that the individual earned during the individual's base period while the individual was lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law, as provided in 56 Ill. Adm. Code 2905.10 or 2905.15, as the case may be.

EXAMPLE:  An individual illegally enters the United States in 2012 and begins work at that time.  The individual applies for and is granted permanent residence status as of May 1, 2019.  Only those wages that this individual earns on or after May 1, 2019 may be used to establish the individual's monetary eligibility for benefits.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 5973, effective April 3, 2024)