The time to swallow your pride is not the day the electricity gets cut off.
Most Americans have never cashed an unemployment check, used a food bank, visited a public health clinic or even clipped coupons with zeal. We like to think that we can take care of ourselves, that we're the kind of people who offer help rather than take it.
That's a swell attitude to have -- until you're looking at a hungry child or an eviction notice. Don't let this happen. Public and private agencies will help you eat, pay the rent, keep the utilities on and get your kids immunized.
Pride shouldn't get in the way of survival. State and federal programs operate with the taxes you've been paying all these years, and private programs exist specifically to help those in temporary need.
Here's what you can expect as you test the public safety net. And remember: When times are better, you can give back.
You are far from alone
In this economy, more and more folks who once made a good living are joining the ranks of the unemployed or the working poor."We're (hearing) a lot of 'I never thought I'd be here,'" said Moses Carey Jr., the chairman of the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina.
If layoff is looming -- and even if one isn't -- you need to know your options. Some people don't even know how to start the unemployment process. (Not sure, either? Start here.)
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Get over the idea that unemployment benefits are some kind of welfare. Unemployment insurance is just that: insurance against joblessness. Should your employer challenge the claim, you can appeal -- if you act quickly. (See "1 in 4 must fight for unemployment checks.")
And now for a hard truth: Your old job might be gone forever, and your skill set might be obsolete. That's the case in North Carolina, where workers feel abandoned by the manufacturing, biotech and financial companies that once provided a good living, Carey said.
"What we tell them is they need to reinvent themselves so they can compete," he said.
Having gone back to school after three decades away, I can definitely say that yes, this is intimidating. But so is life without employable skills. Go in and talk to job counselors about vocational rehab, job retraining or higher education. Just be wary of incurring too much student debt.
Gimme shelter
How long could you keep a roof over your head if you lost your job? Would a month's worth of unemployment checks cover a month's worth of housing? Or suppose your rent goes up just as your hours get cut at work -- what then?Think about this now. Right now. Maybe you could seek out cheaper digs or move in with a family member. Maybe you could take in a housemate or two. You could start searching for a job that will let you live rent-free, such as live-in nanny or apartment house manager.
Federally subsidized housing is available, but waiting lists are long, and in some cities the waiting lists are closed to new applicants. Sign up if you like, but don't count on getting a place anytime soon. Some states have rental assistance programs; click here to find out more.
Private organizations might be able to help. Requests for rent and utility assistance are up 40% at North Helpline, an emergency-services agency in Seattle. "We're hearing from people who have never needed this kind of service before," Executive Director Amy Besunder said.
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Is the stimulus plan working?Analyst Meredith Whitney predicts unemployment will hit 13% before things get better. Chris Kofinis, a Democratic strategist, and Terry Holt, a Republican strategist, discuss that assertion.
Many clients volunteer at the agency because it makes them feel better about accepting assistance, Besunder said. So when you seek aid, ask if volunteers are needed. Note: A sustained record of service can bolster your résumé.
House and apartment sharing are increasingly common in Portland, Ore., according to John Elizalde of the Northeast Emergency Food Program. Regular visits to food banks and soup kitchens are a survival tactic, he noted, because they let you divert grocery dollars toward rent or mortgage payments.
As a last resort, you can always flop on the couches of friends or family. But that's scarily close to homelessness. Don't rely on this as a tactic.
Having trouble with utilities? Call customer service, explain the situation and ask to set up a repayment plan. Some social service agencies, such as North Helpline, offer utility assistance; ask, ask, ask. You can also apply for the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. An increasing number of those seeking help are working-class families, spokesman Mark Wolfe said.
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