</a>Two million Americans are receiving their last<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/careers/2010/12/02/times-up-extended-unemployment-benefits-expire/"><strong>unemployment benefits checks</strong></a> at the end of the month. Nonetheless, the national unemployment rate is rising, increasing from 9.6 to 9.8 between October and November, and many lawmakers stand firm in their <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/careers/2010/12/02/times-up-extended-unemployment-benefits-expire/"><strong>decision <em>not</em> to approve federal long-term assistance</strong></a>—a rare move by Congress given the rough economic climate. On average, 5 million unemployed workers receive emergency unemployment compensation or extended benefits, and with the expiration, household incomes stand to decrease by one-third according to the White House Economic Council. Now what? Here are five ways to cope with the ending of EUB. –<em>By</em> <em>Janel Martinez</em>
</a>Call your state’s unemployment office </strong> “Am I receiving all the benefits I’m entitled?” Don’t shy away from asking that question. Although your unemployment insurance benefits are up, double-check to make sure you don’t qualify for any additional benefits. Also, the office may host training programs, which can result in some form of compensation or support.
</a>Dial-up your creditors</strong> Letting your creditors know you are currently unemployed and are actively looking for employment will lead to talks about how you can negotiate lower payments for a limited time. It's better to do this sooner than later, as explaining your situation once you're already behind on your payments will be much more difficult.
</a>Lockdown a temporary or seasonal job </strong> Full-time positions are scarce; however, <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/careers/2010/11/30/7alternative-holiday-jobs/"><strong>non-permanent or seasonal positions</strong></a> will give you some cash flow as well as add notches to your list of skills and build up <strong>your professional network</strong>. It can be your gateway into securing a permanent position.
</a>Ask and you shall receive </strong> As a member of a congregation, your<strong><a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/tv-video/slideshows/2010/12/06/7-money-lessons-from-the-bible/"> faith-based community</a></strong> may provide some type of assistance with utility bills, housing payments or various other expenses if they are able to. The monetary assistance may be at no cost to you or as a fair trade for your time. Similarly, certain private schools allow parents to volunteer during the school day in exchange for a tuition deduction. Giving up a few hours in your day or week in return for a bill paid is a small price to pay.
</a>Go the non-profit route with ModestNeeds.com </strong> Founded in 2002 by Dr. Keith P. Taylor, <a href="http://www.modestneeds.org/" target="_blank">Modest Needs</a> offers three types of grants: back-to-work grants, independent living grants and self-sufficiency grants. The site offers 'flouting maximum grants' of up to $1000 or 7.5% of your documented, annual household income per family unit. “They provide bridge grants, basically to kind of get you through times like these,” says Kenneth L. Johnson, president of East Coast Executives (ECE). <strong>For more on unemployment benefits, read:</strong> <li><a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/careers/2010/12/02/times-up-extended-unemployment-benefits-expire/" target="_blank"><strong>Time’s Up: Extended Unemployment Benefits Expire</strong></a></li> <li><a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/b-e-exclusives/2010/11/29/so-youve-been-fired-now-what/" target="_blank"><strong>So You’ve Been Fired…Now What</strong></a></li>
Watching the political dialogues on economy, it appears that the discussions have been on the rich and the middle class. As I see it and my opinion, there are two classes of economic status that has been the focus. The question that I preceive as unanswered is “What happened to the lesser fortunate status i.e., poor. This population seems not be considered in these discussed. In reality, there are individuals that would not fall in the two categories of focus. There are persons who did not qualify for unemployment because of the lack of work, unemployment or unemployability. The so call 99ers are not receiving support after the laws changed. Some of those 99ers perhaps were not in the categories of major discussion. I believe the entire discourse excluded a part of the population that continues to suffer. I would like to hear others opinion regarding this issue.
sandfootprints@gmail.com
Oh yes the renewed Bush tax cuts are good for those people who will/can have taxes deducted from a paycheck or unemployment unlike those millions who do not receive one. For those who do not have an income (some through no fault of their own) and no one to assist with the cost of living it’s like living on a sinking boat.
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