What is unemployment? Unemployment benefits were created in 1935 in response to the Great Depression,
when millions of people lost jobs. In general, the State Unemployment
Insurance Programs provide money temporarily to workers who get laid off
from their jobs, and who meet other eligibility requirements of state
law. Who qualifies for unemployment? Generally workers who lose your job through no fault of your own.
Many exceptions allow one to qualify for unemployment. For instance: If
you voluntarily quit your job, the burden of proof is on you to show that
you quit for a good cause. Most states consider good cause
something the employer has done to cause you to quit your job. (You had
to take care of a sick family member, etc) If you are fired or discharged,
your employer must show that you were terminated for a work-connected
misconduct. Always try and file for unemployment if you are fired, there
are two sides to every story, and many employers do not fight against
the benefits. You may even receive benefits if you received a severance
package or moved to another state. So call and Ask! How much can I receive in benefits? The amounts differ from state to state. But the average is usually is
based on 50 to 75% of your income for that year.
How long can I receive benefits?As long as you are able and available
to work, willing to accept suitable work, and actively seeking full-time
work. The length of time workers can receive them varies from unlimited
to several months. The most common time seems to be 6 months. Generally,
you must have worked long enough to receive benefits. What are the rules? Generally
you must file weekly or biweekly claims (after the week(s) has ended),
and respond to questions concerning your continued eligibility. You must
report any earnings from work you had during the week(s). You must also
report any job offers or refusal of work during the week. These claims
are usually filed by mail or telephone and internet; the State will provide
filing instructions. When directed, you must report to your local Unemployment
Insurance Claims Office or One-Stop/Employment Service Office on the day
and at the time you are scheduled to do so. If you fail to report as scheduled
for any interview, benefits may be denied. How do I file a claim for benefits? From the gotfiredgethired.com homepage, click on your state, then your city, look right under
Public Agencies column. Click your states Unemployment link, and then
follow the instructions for “Filing a Claim”. With almost
all states you can file on-line, by phone or by appointment. Good Luck
What are Food Stamps? Started in the 1930’s, Food stamps
are for people who have a hard time making ends meet after paying for
rent, utilities, transportation, and child care to buy food. How do food stamps work? When you get food stamps, you are given an account, like a bank account.
And a debit like card called an “Electronic Benefits Transfer Card:”
Once a month, your food stamp benefits are put into your account. The
one can purchase any food item for human consumption from grocery or convenience
stores.
Who qualifies for Food Stamps? Generally, low income households that have
less than $2,000 in liquid assets, (like in a bank account) not including
your home, your car, jewelry etc. As of 7/1/07, your car does not count
as an asset anymore. Below is an average benefit to income chart for household
size. Use this Pre-Screening Tool also to determine if you may be eligible.
This Chart is just a Guide
Household Size
1
2
3
4
5
6
Gross Income Limit
$1,174
$1,579
$1,984
$2,389
$2,794
$3,200
Maximum Benefit
$200
$367
$526
$668
$793
$952
Calculate your monthly benefit by multiplying your net income by 30%...
(Round up)
Subtract 30% of net income from the maximum allotment for the household size...
$1,163 net monthly income
x .3 = $348.90 (round up to $349)
$588 maximum allotment for 4 - $349 (30% of net income) = $239, SNAP Allotment for a full month
Depending on your income and
state, the amount could be more or less
How do you use
Food Stamps at the store?You
use them the same way someone would buy food with a debit card. You swipe
the card and enter your pin. You can use your EBT card anytime during
the month, and your grocery receipt tells the balance in your account. How do I apply for Food Stamps? To
apply for the Food Stamp Program, you must fill out an
application and return it to a local food stamp office. Each State has
a different application
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/map.htm
FOOD BANKS
What is a food bank? A food bank is a place where food is offered to nonprofit agencies like
churches or community organizations for distribution to people who may
not be able to currently afford food.
How do you get food.? Most food banks require you to register with a picture
ID, Proof of address, proof of low income and proof of family and dependants. Where do I find a food bank? Most churches or your local community organization operate or belong to
a network of food banks. The largest network of food banks is Americas Second Harvest. Use their
Food Bank Locater to find organizations that serve your community
or contact your local church or non-profit community organization.
RENT ASSISTANCE
What is Rent
Assistance or Rent Subsidy? Through a network of Federal,
State and City organizations, access to safe and affordable housing is
provided with rental assistance or subsidy programs that provide rent
or hotel vouchers, assistance with rent or mortgage payments, security
deposits and eviction prevention assistance. These programs help by paying
all but approximately 30% of your take home pay. In addition to the federal
rental assistance programs, there may be programs sponsored by your state
or city governments or community support organizations that provide help. What agencies help with rent? Many federal, states, city and community support agencies implement or
have programs that can assist with rent payments. The main agencies are:
Your State’s DSS (Department of Social Services), Your City’s
(Bureau of Housing and Community Development). And HUD (US Department of Homes and Urban Development) Local renting assistance
information can be found via the internet using the search term“Rent
Assistance, or Rent Subsidy” or click on your state through HUD. Who qualifies for rental assistance? Rent assistance is available to people with low and moderate incomes,
including the elderly and the disabled. Most agencies determine financial
eligibility using the department of HHS Poverty Income Guidelines. Eligibility
generally starts at 50% median income for the county or metropolitan area. How do you apply for assistance? Contact your local agencies going through HUD or your local housing authority, and make an appointment. Bring financial
documents like check stubs, or tax papers. How long does it take to get assistance? Do not count on immediate assistance. Preference is given to people who
are currently homeless, are paying more than half their income on rent
or who have been forced out of their homes by landlords, mother nature,
death etc.
UTILITIES ASSISTANCE
(LIHEAP)
What is (LIHEAP)? If you
cannot afford to pay your home energy bill, your home may not be safe.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program a federally funded program that
helps pay the winter heating bills or summer cooling bills of low-income,
disabled and elderly people.
Who qualifies for (LIHEAP) assistance? The LIHEAP program in your community
determines if your household's income qualifies for the program. Where do I apply? Contact
your State's
LIHEAP office. or call toll-free 1-866-674-6327.
CHILD CARE
What is the Child Care Assistance
Program? Under the Federal Child Care and
Development Block Grant funds, child care assistance is available to families
who meet income guidelines and are working or working and attending school.
Also for those that are in training in the workforce, others making the
transition from welfare to work. How does the program work? Subsidies may be paid to child care providers such as child care centers,
pre-kindergarten programs, family child care homes, and care by relatives
and friends. The family may be required to make a co-payment based on
the household income and family size. Who is eligible for assistance? You may be eligible for assistance
if your income is within the limits below.
Family Size
Adjusted Monthly Income
2
$2,282
3
$2,862
4
$3,442
5
$4,022
6
$4,602
Where can
I apply? To apply you have to contact your state’s
Health and Human Services, or Health and Social Services or Family Services
Follow the Link for your state at the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, at the Administration
for Children and Families, website for all the agencies.
HEALTH CARE
What should I know? There are a lot agencies and programs both federal and state that provide
low-income individuals and families health care, treatments, health insurance,
prescription drug assistance, preventative health care, and even surgery. What are the most common agencies? The most common public health care assistance programs are run by Medicare,
Medicaid, and Veterans Health Care. But there are individual state agencies that provide
the most assistance. How can I narrow down my search? There are several websites that provide a help to find the appropriate
health care services. The (AARP).American
Association of Retired Persons and the (FHCE)
Foundation for Health Coverage Education offer great questionaires
that narrow your search to find assisted health care and health services
in your area.
WELFARE
What is welfare? AFDC (Aid For Families with Dependent Children - Welfare Check) Welfare
is financial or other aid provided to people in need. Welfare assistance
of various kinds is provided in the United States partly by the federal
government and partly by state governments. Agencies such as the US Department
of Housing and Urban Development HUD and the US Department of Health and
Human Services, provide financial assistance in tough times through
special programs to recipients. Where do I start? Call your
local Employment Office, Social Services or Human Services office, listed
in the government pages of your phone book, or link to your state and
city employment office through the gotfiredgethired.com homepage. Just click on your state, find your city and look under “Public
agencies”. You will have to make an appointment with a case worker.
Be sure to bring any check stubs, banks statements, bills, birth certificates,
social security cards, tax records, anything that may help to show your
financial situation. Make sure to ask for “Emergency Assistance”
if you are homeless.” There are a lot of forms to fill out so hang
in there, and just do it, if you need help there will be folks around
to help you.
