(ProsperNews.net) – Losing a job can be stressful. Many are overwhelmed; they scramble to understand how they can still care for themselves and their family in the interim. There are several areas of help for those that are recently unemployed, here are a few that you should know about.
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
Other than the loss of income, the loss of health insurance can be the most devastating part of job loss. If you were employed through your company, there is a chance that your coverage may continue through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act or COBRA. It can cover you, your spouse, and your dependent children, and the cost is often more expensive than what you were previously paying.
Marketplace Insurance
A job loss is also a “special enrollment” event for the Health Insurance Marketplace, which offers health insurance coverage. While there, you may be able to receive a tax credit that will lower the cost monthly of the coverage. To check out the policies available to you, go to HealthCare.gov, or call 1-800-318-2596 within 60 days of your job loss.
Children’s Health Insurance Program
The Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, is a free or low-cost option for insurance for those households with children that is also through the HealthCare.gov website or phone call. It is also available through your state under the website insurekidsnow.gov.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, program helps protect children through supplemental funding for those unemployed. Those under their assistance will be required to look for work each week and may be required to take job-assistance classes. It is a state program administered through each state’s government for short-term assistance. For your own state benefits, you can do a search for “TANF + (your state)”.
Unemployment Insurance and Training
Another state-run program, unemployment is a short-term assistance program to give you weekly funding while you look for employment. This is only for a few weeks, usually 26, and is meant to provide some help in replacement income while you look for another job. You may also have unemployment training through the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers, Rapid Response Service, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers – If you’ve been in an offshore job this may provide income to retrain your skills, aid in relocation, or to help in job searches.
Rapid Response Service – Aids for those laid off or will be laid off in resume help, benefits application aid, and career counseling.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act – Provides programs for vulnerable people such as recently incarcerated, young people, and Native Americans.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is also known as “food stamps”. Funded by the Department of Agriculture, SNAP recipients are based on income and the amount of people to feed. SNAP benefits go toward groceries for the household and can be beneficial for those recently unemployed.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, offers up to $30 in discounts for broadband internet, or $75 for those on tribal lands. In addition to the discount, those on the program can get $100 toward a new computer or tablet when purchased from participating providers. Your home’s income must be at 200% or below the poverty level and be on an assistance program like SNAP or been given a Pell Grant for school. More information is at ACPBenefit.org.
All of the above programs are just a few of the different programs in place to help provide aid and care to those recently unemployed. Your state may offer additional programs and can be found easily online.
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