I LOST MY JOB, NOW WHAT?

I LOST MY JOB, NOW WHAT?

BY: ADAM FISHMAN

If you’re one of the lucky citizens of America who is still employed, you should be thanking whatever higher power you believe in. Seriously, thank them every waking hour of your day. As of January 2009, the United States unemployment rate was 7.2%. The highest level since 1992, and job loss totals are now at 3.57 million since the recession started in December 2007.
If you’re boss hasn’t called you in his office yet to utter those dreadful words “sorry, we have to let you go,” or “we just need to cut costs, and you cost too much,” don’t worry that day is probably coming if the state of our economy doesn’t turn around. Try not to stress too much; there are options out there if you lose your job.

For those of you that still thrive off of mom and dad, live at home, have minimal bills, and are only working part-time, well, you can still thrive off of mom and dad right? If you’re a full-time or part-time student who only works part-time, finding part-time work shouldn’t be too difficult. For example, restaurants, bars, and clubs are always looking for people to work.
If you’re living on your own, or let’s just say mommy and daddy aren’t helping you, and you’re working full-time, then a job loss to you can have more of an impact. How will you pay bills such as rent, electric, cable, water, or phone? Furthermore, part-time work will not be enough to pay for all of that. It’s even more difficult to find a full-time job that will work around a full-time or part-time school schedule.

Ok, don’t have a nervous breakdown yet. If you have the luxury of borrowing a large amount of money from a parent or relative, or you can move back home until you find another job, then don’t hesitate. For those of you who don’t have those options, you’re screwed. Ok, just kidding, while you’re hopefully looking for other full-time work you will need some sort of income in the mean time right? Yes, unless you plan on joining the bums underneath the I-4 bridges.
Here is some good news, if you were laid-off or discharged from your employer for reasons outside of misconduct, you can join the millions of other Americans who file for unemployment compensation. In other words, if you’re out of work at no fault of your own, you can receive temporary wage replacement benefits for up to six months while you try to find other work. www.fluidnow.com is the website you visit to fill out an application.

There are a few catches; the wage replacement will only be about 60-70% of what you normally were paid in one week. For example, if you made $350 per week your compensation will be about $225-$250. In addition, you have to maintain an accurate job search and every week you have to report any wages or income you might’ve earned elsewhere.

Unemployment compensation would certainly not be a permanent solution, but it can suffice in the meantime until you find other work. You could always try the lotto too.