by Sheila Koester

Created on: May 06, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2008

Out of Work but Not Out of Luck

If you have recently lost your job through no fault of your own, or if in these tough economic times, the dream of working again eludes you, do not panic. The federal government offers ways to deal with your financial stress. Unemployment assistance is offered through income support, health care assistance, job search assistance, and training. In addition, the government may help you find a home and help with the grocery bills while you are searching for a new position.

Many unemployed workers do not take advantage of the benefits offered through the Unemployment Compensation (UC) program. Being out of work today does not have the same stigma it had years ago. Do not be afraid to go to your nearest One-Stop Career Center, established by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. While you are there, you can apply for government assistance programs that will compensate you for your time out of work and will help you with your employment search.

An unemployed worker may apply for compensation benefits to cover a specified number of weeks that you are not employed. To receive these benefits, claimants must have enough recent earnings to meet their state's earnings requirements. You must be actively seeking work to receive these benefits. The good news is that you can apply for benefits and register for job search assistance at the same place the nearest One-Stop Career Center.

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) covers job training assistance, adult education and literacy (the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act), vocational rehabilitation (the Rehabilitation Act of 1973), and the Employment Service (the Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933). Title I of WIA provides for job training and related services for unemployed and underemployed individuals through three different grant programs for adults, dislocated workers, and youth.

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), offers those dealing with job loss, temporary relief from rising health care costs. Employers are required to extend benefits through an option to continue coverage for their employees under certain circumstances for the duration of no more than 18 months. The Health Care Tax Credit is offered to certain participants to enable them to receive a refundable tax credit after they have purchased health insurance.

There are various housing assistance programs available depending upon need and circumstances. Low-income programs offer housing funding

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