Surviving a Layoff - Help is at Hand

If you've been laid off you may feel angry, afraid, betrayed, or frustrated.

Surviving a layoff isn't easy, but you are not alone. It may help to know that every state has services to help you move forward in your life.

Following are some of the resources available to you if you've lost your job.

Nine Resources for Surviving a Layoff

1. One-stop career centers
While they may be called by different names in different states, every state has offices that help people find work. Most have job search seminars which help you write a resume and learn job interview skills. They can help you assess your skills and see how they can transfer to other jobs. They can also show you your options for training for new careers. And they have job listings and instructions on using the Internet for job searches and networking.
2. Unemployment insurance
Unemployment insurance is a federal-state benefit program available in all states to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Qualifications and benefits vary by state.
3. Rapid Response
Rapid Response teams provide laid-off workers with help filing unemployment claims, access to training resources, information on health insurance, and other assistance aimed at getting you back to work as soon as possible.
4. Veteran services
Veterans' employment representatives help veterans and their family members find jobs.
5. SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)
SCORE is a national organization of business executives who offer their time and expertise to help people start or improve their own businesses. This is one of many resources available to help laid-off workers plan, start, and develop businesses.
6. Cooperative Extension
Every state has a cooperative extension program that offers information, education, and guidance on a wide variety of job-related topics. For people who operate or want to start a small or home-based business, cooperative extension provides assistance with writing a business plan, pricing products and services, recordkeeping, and other related subjects. Available services vary by state.
7. President's Opportunity Training Initiative
President Obama's new program can help you gain skills for a new job. If you are unemployed and receiving unemployment insurance benefits you may qualify for extra help paying for education and training.
8. Financial resources
Various state and federal programs provide financial assistance to individuals and families surviving a layoff. You can supplement your income by claiming all of the benefits you have a right to claim. Here are just a few of the programs:


• Food Stamp Program. This program helps people with little or no money - whether they are employed or not - buy food at grocery stores and farmers' markets.
• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. TANF is a cash benefit program for very low-income families with children.
• Emergency Assistance. EA provides benefits to families with children in many emergency situations.
• Fuel assistance. LIHEAP provides fuel assistance to help low income Americans heat their homes.
9. Legal services
Every state has non-profit legal aid programs that assist low income Americans with a wide range of civil legal issues.

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