Housing ReliefHow do some people stay afloat when they lose their job? They put everything on credit cards or apply for personal loans with extremely high interest rates. Can either of those moves give you the funds you need to pay your bills until you replace that lost income? Sure, but they’re costly methods of funding that’ll put you into deep debt and make your financial situation even worse.
Although you may feel flustered after losing your job, know that there are places that offer help to people in your specific situation. Let’s take a look at them now so you can get the financial assistance you need.
Catholic Charities
There are many reasons to contact Catholic Charities if you just lost your job and are low on cash. For starters, they offer food assistance so you can feed your family if your fridge is empty. Beyond that, Catholic Charities can offer furniture and clothing to ensure you have all the essentials. And if you’re having trouble paying bills, Catholic Charities can help there too. When contacting them, ask about their rent and utility assistance programs.
Salvation Army
Like Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army can save the day when you’re low on your luck and lose your job. Contact your local Salvation Army for help with food, as well as rent or utility assistance. And if you’re looking to expand your skill set so you can get better employment this time around, ask about their job training program.
211
A quick call to 211 can solve so many of your unemployment problems. No, it won’t get you a new job, but it will get you connected with a local operator who specializes in financial assistance in your area. Whether you need help with food, housing, healthcare, bills, or anything else, ask your 211 operator, and they should be able to point you in the right direction.
Feeding America
If you need emergency food assistance, a visit to the Feeding America website can help you find it quite quickly. Simply look on their map, find your state, and see which food banks or pantries are nearest to you so you can visit them as soon as possible.
SNAP
Food stamps can give you funds to buy groceries each month. If you’re unemployed and need those funds now, though, you could get them by applying for expedited SNAP benefits.
Your State Unemployment Office
If you were terminated and haven’t filed for unemployment benefits, do so now by finding your state office. They can also help you with programs to find a new job.
COBRA
Healthcare is another worry many unemployed people have. To avoid a lapse in your coverage, apply for COBRA so you can avoid any costly medical emergencies.
Your Local Hospital
Depending on your financial situation, you may find COBRA out of your budget. If so, a quick trip to your nearest hospital could help you see if they have a medical assistance program or a sliding fee scale to fit your budget while keeping you covered.
