If you or someone you know has been laid off from work please take a look and share the tips below on what to do next!

1- Take care of YOU Your health is important so don’t go without health coverage! Speak to your employer about extending your health insurance benefit for up to 18 months under COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) if it's available. You have 60 days after your coverage lapses to opt-in or start shopping for your own policy [here] (https://www.healthcare.gov/) Your new employment status allows for you to actively enroll even if it's not open enrollment time.

2- Apply for unemployment benefits To receive unemployment benefits, you need to file a claim with the unemployment program in the state where you worked as soon as possible! Don't delay because this process can take quite a long time. The government-sponsored site, [CareerOneStop] (https://www.careeronestop.org/), has details on unemployment benefits in each state. You also can do a quick Google search to locate your local Department of Labor and unemployment office and apply there as well.

3- Revisit your budget There’s no way of knowing how long you will be unemployed and because your income is now significantly less, it's important to plan for the future. Revisit your accounts and see where you stand. Cut down on your expenses and spend only on what is necessary for the time being (think food, gas, etc.). Put together a list of all the bills you currently pay such as car payments, student loans, rent, mortgage, medical bills, etc. that are non-negotiable. Anything that isn’t essential cancel it for now and focus on the more important bills. If you feel you are unable to pay your mortgage reach out to your bank ASAP and alert them to the problem as well as your landlord if you rent.

4- Stay in touch Don’t be afraid to connect with your coworkers/managers, now is the time. Ask them for their contact information and if they would consider being a reference in the near future. Stick to anyone you worked closely with who can attest to your skills on the job. If they ask you, make sure to offer them the same courtesy.

5- Be positive Right now is a difficult time but remaining positive will help see you through this! Surround yourself with loved ones who will support and guide you and talk to them about how you feel. Stay strong and look to the future. As the saying goes, "This too shall pass."

6- Apply It goes without saying that once you lose a job you need to replace it with another. So revamp that resume! Be sure to add any new skills and experiences you gained over your employment. Then when you are ready, search and apply to jobs in your area [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/jobs/search).

Wishing you the best during this difficult time.

Have questions? Please ask!

We are here to help : )

If you’re good at budgeting you’ll do fine here. A good place to work, kind people. Show up, take people from point A-B and go home. Not hourly so pay can be hit and miss but that’s where budgeting comes in. On good days you set a little more aside than usual and bad days don’t prevent you from paying your bills. I will say on that note if you’re willing to put in the work, driving Cab can be very lucrative.

How to Open a Restaurant

• Choose a Restaurant Concept and Brand. When starting a restaurant, it's important to have a clear concept and brand. ...
• Form Your Menu Items. ...
• Write a Restaurant Business Plan. ...
• Obtain Funding. ...
• Choose a Location and Lease a Commercial Space. ...
• Permits and Licenses. ...
• Find an Equipment and Food Supplier. ...
• Design a Restaurant Layout.

Start a Restaurant

51yr professional with 30 years in the business. Stuck between a rock and a hard place. I have the full business plan, ready to open my own restaurant but can't find the backing. At the same time I can't find employment due to my advanced status, either I'm over-qualified or they can't seem to separate me from ambitions.

I’m sorry to have to delete this, but I have good reasons to.

So far my college degree hasn’t benefited me at all, in fact I’m going to have to take a lower wage in a less than favorable environment if something doesn’t change.

I have been looking, and applying for jobs for months now and nothing.

I know other people in the same position. I have wasted so much time getting a Health Science degree and now I’m in debt and jobless! I officially give up after 7 months, we’re broke and I need to find a job.....I’m going to go to my local Kroger and run a register or Walmart or in a restaurant doing dishes.

A college degree doesn’t always guarantee a job, success, or a career! Be careful folks!

Planned my retirement two years in advance. Take note. I am soooo glad I planned ahead. Lots of things to consider.

Whatcha going to do? I am taking a year off to do volunteer work, raising money to charity and going on the speaking tour to get it.

Can you afford it? Yup! Planted some funds specifically for year one.

What’ll you do after? Over the years I acquired skills that fit ideally with part time work, insurance sales, consulting and tax work. This will allow for a lot of time off and still earn some “play money”. I have simple tastes and do not dream of buying a rocket flight trip, so my cash needs are moderate and I can still have a great time touring the US.

Anything else for a lifetime goal? I’d like to write s book to show people how I back a Cracker Jack sales rep. It will be littered with amusing stories that ironically had a connection to sales. Should be fun.

Closing words? Best be ready for retirement, as it comes up real fast and is there before you know it.

Horrible company to work for. Do a good job and you’ll get demoted and pay reduced. Stress beyond stressed. With on call pay you average $2.00 per hour.

I was working and doing ok. I payed my rent and kept up my bills. Then in a crosswalk I was hit, broke foot, permanently damaged tendons nerves muscle etc. I'll never be able to work on my foot again. I have a lawsuit in motion, I'm on my way to eviction and lose everything I worked for, credit wise. I'm so screwed, I'm not sure why I'm writing this to you out there. Things can't get much worse. I don't want to fade away or die !! I've tried everything I can think of. All these lawyers promise you the world, then once signed I'm nothing.ignored. So much more to this story I am a victim and borrowed money from my settlement but no more. Don't know where to turn. Sooner I will get my payoff , probably a year from now. Till then I'm in hell at 59 years old. Any suggestions ???

I have been out of work for almost 4 months and been on over 20 interviews. Most of the companies I have either not heard from or had to chase after to find out that I didnt get the job . ANNOYING AND RUDE! I am learning that I just need to keep moving on. I am disappointed with my life right now but I can still set the reset button on my life. I can get a job, get my money situation in order, get my weight in control and start moving forward. I just want an employer to believe in me.