(DailyChive.com) – The official unemployment rate in the United States is reportedly at its lowest level in 54 years according to the Chamber of Commerce. With that said, many people understand that the official unemployment rate and the actual rates of unemployment experienced by the public are two entirely different things. Even at the official unemployment rate of 3.4%, that still means that are millions of Americans who are suffering. Now, with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) threatening to take out even more jobs, people want to know what they need to do to get their federal benefits.
Unemployment Insurance
Commonly known as “unemployment benefits”, the program known as unemployment insurance is something that is managed state by state. Different states have different rules for how much in benefits one can receive and about the requirements that one must meet to claim these government benefits. Therefore, it is vital to review the requirements that one must meet to get the help they require from a given state. Generally speaking, this benefit is only available to those who have been laid off. In other words, someone who voluntarily quits a job will like NOT be eligible for unemployment insurance.
It is very important to understand that it may take a number of weeks to receive your first unemployment check, and the assistance only lasts a few weeks. You will need to find other forms of assistance to help bridge the gap when you find yourself suddenly unemployed.
COBRA Health Insurance
The U.S. Department of Labor defines COBRA health insurance in the following way:
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events.
It is a way for you to continue to hold on to the insurance you have been provided by your employer. This will keep you insured while still working on obtaining another job and the health insurance that new job may provide. This can help you keep yourself protected from a catastrophic situation related to your healthcare as you look for a new job.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
If you have children in your household and you find yourself temporarily unemployed, you need to figure out something fast. The TANF program is meant to help you survive while getting through the process of trying to find a new job. It is necessary for you to spend a significant amount of time looking for work or taking training courses that will improve your skills so that you are able to find a new job.
TANF is meant to be used on an extremely short-term basis, and the people who use it should know that they are intended to get off of the program as soon as they possibly can.
Trade Adjustment Assistance
Finally, one other government program that can assist you with taking care of the situation you find yourself in is the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. This offering is for those who have had their job moved offshore. This program gives you the income you require while working on adjusting to the change in venue. It is a fund meant to support the relocation and retention of American workers. In other words, it can help you maintain an income while moving somewhere far away to hang on to your job.
These are all options that you can consider if you are suddenly unemployed and find yourself very much in need of some immediate assistance to remain afloat.
Copyright 2023, DailyChive.com
