Surviving Unemployment Don't be passive in you unemployment. Take advantage of the organizations that offer services to assist you. Seek personal support like counseling, get help with your finances and look into job placements services. Stay active in the community through volunteering. Like many people, work is probably an important part of your identity and self-esteem. It's only natural to feel rejected and depressed when you're hit by unemployment. Keep in mind it is also difficult for your spouse and children. They probably feel as helpless as you do. Try to be understanding of your family. Begin supporting each other emotionally by talking about your problems and planning your next steps together. Even youngsters know when there is tension in the family. No matter what their ages, it is best to explain your unemployment situation and your plans to deal with it. While Waiting to go Back to Work If you're laid off temporarily and waiting to be called back, keep yourself occupied. Do all those things you've been putting off. Visit relatives or friends and volunteer your time to a community project. Enjoy local activities, many of them are free or moderate in cost. Check what's available in your city or township by calling your local YMCA, YWCA, recreation department, community centers, libraries or university extension services. Volunteering Volunteering can provide the opportunity to receive valuable training, increase self-esteem by helping others and could be a stepping stone to finding a job by putting you in touch with others in the community. Contact the George W. Romney Volunteer Center at United Way Community Services. Volunteer Connect has a computerized system that will link individuals with volunteer opportunities in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Call (313) 226-9430 between 8:30a.m. and 5:00p.m. Monday through Friday or Toll-free at 1-800-392-4833 Plant closed-My job's gone. What can I do? First of all, consider some realistic planning. Carefully explore where you want to go and what you want to do. Consider job training. Set a goal and decide on a step-by-step approach to achieve it. Tel-Help at United Way Community Services can refer you to resources that provide job training programs. Call (313)226-9888 Financial Help First discuss the situation with the entire family. Look at the amount of family income from Unemployment Benefits and all other sources, then develop a budget to meet financial needs based on the reduced income. You may be able to receive assistance in budget counseling and planning free of charge. If your unemployment benefits run out prior to securing another job, it may be necessary to apply for government benefits to which you may be entitled: Food Stamps, Family independence Program, State Medical Program, State Emergency Relief and State Family Assistance can be accessed by contacting your nearest Michigan Family Independence Agency office. Help is available. There are many community agencies that may be able to help you. Get started by calling United Way Community Services' Tel-Help at (313)226-9888 or (800)552-1183 for information about services that may be available to your. Unemployment Benefits Under state law, the Michigan Employment Security Agency (MESA) is responsible for helping you find a job and for providing unemployment compensation benefits to eligible workers. You do not have to be collecting unemployment Compensation in order to get assistance from MESA in finding work. Mortgage Arrangements If you are unable to make your mortgage payment because of unemployment, an extended strike, illness or other circumstances beyond your control, contact you mortgage lender immediately to discuss your situation. It is best to talk in person with your lender if you can. You may be able to make special arrangements during the period that your income is reduces. If you cannot make sure arrangements, you may be able to get other help. If you have an FHA-insured mortgage, ask you mortgage lender to refer you to a HUD-approved homeownership counseling agency in your area. The agency will try to come up with some solutions. If you have a VA mortgage, contact the VA Loan Service and Claims Section at (800) 827-1000 for similar assistance. Crediting Counseling Centers, Inc., a non-profit family financial counseling service, can help you sort out your financial problems and get back on your feet with dignity and a minimum of confusion. They will assist you in working out a budget and debt repayment schedule. The provide professional counseling on money management, family budgeting and wise use of credit. If needed they will provide debt management services in which they negotiate with your creditors and forward your payments to them. All counseling services are free. For debt management services, fees are based on ability to pay. No one is refused service because of inability to pay a fee. Branch offices are located throughout the metropolitan Detroit area. For referral to the office nearest you call (800) 547-5005. Employment and Education The tri- county area has numerous employment and educational opportunities for the unemployed. Anyone looking for assistance in finding employment or educational programs in your area should call United Way Community Services' Tel-Help at (313)552-1183 or (800) 552-1183 for a referral. Michigan Family Independence Agency The Michigan Family Independence Agency can provide various services to you if eligible such as, State Family Assistance, Food Stamps, State Emergency Relief and Medicaid Program. Income and Assets determine eligibility. For more information or to apply for any of these programs contact the Michigan Family Independence Agency (MIFA) in your area. If you do not agree with any decision made by the MFIA, you may appeal by requesting a hearing. MFIA is required to provide you with special forms for this purpose Michigan Family Independence Agency Bureau of Administrative Hearings P.O. Box 30041 Lansing, MI 48909 Family Independence Program Children and their Financially needy parent(s) or a close relative they live with may be eligible for FIP (AFDC), Which is financial assistance. Contact your local Office for further eligibility information. Food Stamps Any household of one person or a group that lives and customarily buy and prepare their food together, that meets the income, asset and other basic eligibility rules can get food stamps. A person who is a boarder or lives in an institution (with some exceptions) cannot get food stamps. State Emergency Relief Any person may apply for emergency help under SER. SER may provide for food, clothing, rent, house payments, shelter, utility payments/deposits, taxes. security deposits, home repairs, appliances, furniture, relocation and certain other necessitates. To determine whether your are eligible, contact your local Family Independence Agency. Medical Assistance The State of Michigan has the Medicaid Program to help eligible people pay for a variety of medical services. If you are receiving FIP or Supplemental Security income (SSI), you are automatically eligible for the Medicaid program. You may also qualify for the Medicaid program if you meet all but the income requirements for FIP or SSI. THAW (Heat and Warmth Fund) THAW provides help with heat or electricity bills for low income people who don't qualify for other programs or have exhausted other resources for assistance. You must have a utility shut off notice or no service or an immediate need for deliverable fuel and you must have made an effort to pay utility bills. You must meet certain income requirements. THAW funds are available beginning in mid-January until funds are gone (usually spring.) Call Tel-Help at (313) 226-9888 or (800) 552-1183 for the designated screening site nearest your home. Heat Bank Available to Detroit and Wayne County residents, The Heat Bank provides gas bill assistance to individuals and families who are low income, and who have received gas shut-off notices from Michigan Consolidated Gas Company. This program operates from January - March. Call Tel-Help at (313) 226-9888 or call MichCon Customer Support Services at (313) 256-6700 or (800) 456-6402 ext. 66700 Oakland County residents can contact PeopleCare, a Consumer's Energy program similar to the Heat Bank. This help is available through the Salvation Army. There are also programs that provide utility-related tax credits. The Michigan Home Heating Credit program provides a state tax credit for homeowners and renters on a limited income. Eligibility is based on a relationship between personal income and heating cost, and varies with the number of exemption you claim. You may apply for this credit by filing a form available from your nearest Michigan Department of treasury office 1-800-487-7000 or 517-373-3200 or call your utility company for information. Social Security Benefits
If you are retired, you and your dependents are eligible for these benefits as early as the first full month you are 62 years old. But the amount will be reduced permanently, depending on the number of month you received payments before you reach age 65.
You are eligible for disability benefits before age 65 if you have a sever physical or mental condition that prevents you form working.
You may be eligible for these benefits if you are a member of a deceased worker's family and you meet certain qualifications. The Size of your Social Security benefits depends on the amount paid into the system during your career. Visit your local Social Security office or call (800) 772-1213 if you think you may be entitled to benefits. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) You may be eligible for monthly payments of SSI if you are 65 or older, or if you are blind or disabled at any ae. Eligibility and payments amount also depend on your income resources and living arrangements. For application and eligibility information visit your local Social Security office or call (800)772-1213 Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Emergency Grant - Temporary assistance granted by the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF) for emergencies or hard-ships is available to eligible wartime veterans, and their families, residing in the state. For More imformation contact: Michigan Veterans Trust Fund 611 West Ottawa P.O. Box 30026 Lansing, MI 48909 DETROIT Where to find the services you need:
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Counseling
Credit Counseling/Money Management
Employment Services and Information
Family Violence Shelters and Information Protective Services-Family Independence Agency Wayne County Protective Services (24 hours)
Domestic Violence
Parenting Issues and Crisis
Rape
Family Violence
Health Care and Information
Legal Services
Leisure and Recreation
Runaway Services
Suicide Prevention
WAYNE COUNTY Where to find the Services you need Tel-Help/ United way Community Services (313) 226-9888 or (800) 552-1183 Emergency Telephone Service (24 hours)..............(313) 224-7000 The Information Center, Inc The Family Resource Place (313) 282-7171 Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Counseling
Credit Counseling/Money Management
Employment Services and Information
Family Violence Shelters and Information Wayne County Protective Services (24 hours)
Domestic Violence
Parenting Issues
Rape
Family Violence
Health Care and Information
Leisure and Recreation Young Men's Christian Association of Metro Detroit (YMCA)
Young Women's Christian Association of Metro Detroit (YWCA)
Runaway Services
Suicide Prevention
Oakland County Where to find the Services you need Tel-Help/United Way Community Services (313) 226-9888 or (800) 552-1183 First call for Help/United Way of Oakland County (248) 456-8800 Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Counseling
Credit Counseling/Money Management Credit Counseling Centers:
Employment Services and Information Protective Services
Domestic Violence
Rape
Family Violence
Health Care Information
Leisure and Recreation Young Men's Christian Association of Metropolitan Detroit (YMCA)
Young Women's Christian Association of Metropolitan Detroit (YWCA)
Runaway Services
Suicide Prevention
MACOMB COUNTY Where to find the services you need Tel-Help/United Way Community Services (313) 226-9888 or (800) 1183 Macomb County Crisis Center (24 hours) (810) 307-9100 Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Counseling
Credit Counseling/Money Management Credit Counseling Centers
Legal Services
Employment Services and Information
Family Violence Shelters and Information Protective Services
Domestic Violence
Parenting Issues and Crisis
Family Violence
Rape
Health Care and Information
Leisure and Recreation Young Men's Christian Association of Metropolitan Detroit (YMCA)
Young Women's Christian Association of Metropolitan Detroit (YWCA)
Runaway Services
Suicide Prevention
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