Is an H-1B holder excluded from unemployment benefit eligibility?

An H-1B holder is only permitted to work for the company that sponsors that particular H-1B. So applying for unemployment benefits effectively means you’re no longer employed at that company, which would mean your work authorization is void. Once your work authorization is void this way, you become ineligible for unemployment benefits.

Also, to receive unemployment benefits, you must be eligible to work at another job. You may have eligibility to work elsewhere through an H-1B transfer, but since your current work authorization has already been voided due to termination, you would not qualify.