For most people, being unemployed can send you into a panic. It means you don’t have a steady income coming in most of the time, which will make it difficult to pay your bills. Being able to meet basic needs while being unemployed is crucial and something that people will struggle with. The good news is that there are programs that offer help for those who are unemployed.
It is important for people who are unemployed to still have an income coming in, or they may not be able do things like purchase food, pay their rent, and get the rest of their needs met. Knowing what type of programs will provide help for those who are unemployed can make a world of difference. The programs can be the difference between getting your family’s basic needs met and not being able to.
Programs Providing Help for Those Unemployed
There are numerous programs that will provide assistance for those who are unemployed or between jobs. Some people may be unemployed for a long period of time, while others may need help on a short term basis. Others may have a week or two where they need help between jobs.
Contact all the programs below that you feel will help with your situation. There is no limit on how many programs you can apply for to get help with your financial situation during this time. Some programs provide long term assistance, while others limit how long you can receive help. In addition to these programs, reach out to churches in your area to get help while you are unemployed. They have programs in place to help people in the community who need assistance.
Unemployment – Every state offers an unemployment program. If you have been working there is a good chance you have been paying into the program through the taxes that are taken out of your paychecks. Those who are without a job may qualify for unemployment. If you do, you will be able to receive money each week for a certain number of weeks, depending on your state. You will need to check with the unemployment office in your state to see if you qualify for receiving unemployment payments, and if so, how you go about applying for it.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – One of the most challenging bills to continue paying while unemployed is often those related to housing. If you need help paying for your rent or avoiding foreclosure, contact HUD. This is the largest provider of housing assistance in the country and it is federally funded. Their programs are available around the country. HUD helps provide affordable housing options, pay for necessary home repairs, offers rental assistance, and more. To get help through HUD, you have to have a low income and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. HUD has an office in every state, so you will need to contact the one in your state. To find your state’s office, click here.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – Obtaining the food you need to survive is crucial during times of unemployment. SNAP, which used to be called food stamps, is a program that will help you pay for food. You can get help from the program long term. It is available around the country. To qualify, you have to have a low income and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. The amount you will receive each month to pay for groceries depends on how many dependents you have in the home. To get more information and apply for the program, click here.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – If you need help paying for your energy bills while you are unemployed, you can apply for LIHEAP. This program helps people pay for their energy bills, by sending the funds directly to the energy provider on your behalf. You can apply during various seasons and will need to re-apply each time you need the assistance. To qualify, you have to have a low income and be the person who is responsible for paying the bill. To get more information and apply for the assistance, click here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – This program will provide you with a monthly cash payment during the time you are unemployed, if you qualify. The amount you receive is calculated by how many dependents you have. The program is for those who have at least one minor child in the home. If you don’t have any minor children, check to see if your state offers their sub-program, called General Assistance. That one is the same thing, only for those who don’t have children they are providing for. The cash you receive each month can be used to pay for your living expenses, including for housing, food, shelter, bills, etc. To get more information and apply for TANF, click here.
Salvation Army – This organization has locations around the country. They aim to help people in the community who need assistance. They can be a good source of help while you are unemployed. They can help you obtain free food, shelter, clothing, bill payment assistance, and more. To get more information contact a location near you. To get find a location in your area, click here.
Catholic Charities – This organization is similar to Salvation Army. They offer assistance to those in the community around the country. Reach out to a location near you to see what type of services they can provide to help you during the time you are unemployed. To get more information and find a location near you, click here.
211– This is a number you can call for assistance. It is provided by the organization United Way. This free referral program will help you find local assistance programs you can turn to for help. They may have access to information about programs that you cannot find online and that are local to your area only. To get more information about the program, click here.
