NEWS

Unemployed? Find Available Benefits

While losing one’s primary source of income is stressful and scary, taking advantage of available benefits can help you and your family stay healthy. (copyright fizkes/iStock via Getty Images Plus)

Unemployed? Find Available Benefits

(StatePoint) Self-quarantines and stay-at-home orders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are having an impact on employment, and that may continue for some time. During this period of uncertainty, finding ways to pay bills or keep medical benefits are top concerns for many. Here are some tips from Janine Nowatzky, managing director of Inside Rx.

What is unemployment insurance and how do I sign up?
Unemployment insurance is a program between your state and the federal government that provides money when you’ve lost your job. With the federal government’s passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, you can receive an enhanced benefit. It authorizes:
• Self-employed and gig workers to receive benefits
• An extra $600 a week for up to six months
• An extra 13 weeks of benefits beyond what your state currently provides

Each state’s rules are different. Review your state’s unemployment insurance program to learn about how to apply for benefits. Or learn more by visiting www.usa.gov/unemployment.

How much money will I get?
It will vary by state. But remember, under the CARES Act, you will be able to get an additional $600 a week for up to six months. The program’s start date was set to Jan. 27. So, if you lost your job due to COVID-19-related reasons between the end of January and now, then you should be able to receive the additional benefit.

What about health insurance?
It’s scary to think about getting through this pandemic without health insurance. What benefits you’re able to keep all depends on who you work for. The first step is to ask your employer. They may allow you to continue your health coverage for a short period of absence.

If your employer is allowing you to keep your insurance, be sure to clarify if your missed premium payments will be:
• Covered partially or fully by your employer
• Deducted when you come back to work
• Have to be paid now to continue getting insurance

Your employer may also offer health care coverage through COBRA, but that can be very expensive.

A limited number of states have also opened enrollment to their own Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance exchanges. You may be able to sign up for a health insurance plan – even without a life-changing event, which is the usual exception to the standard open enrollment periods.

What about prescription medications?
It’s so important to keep taking your medications to stay as strong and healthy as possible. If you weren’t able to get health insurance with prescription benefits, there are prescription drug savings programs like Inside Rx that can help. The program offers access to thousands of brand and generic medications for you, your family, and your pets at a fraction of the cost, helping you save an average of 40 to 80 percent. You can fill your prescription at more than 60,000 pharmacies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Or, you can continue to socially distance and stay safe by getting your medications delivered right to your home through the Express Scripts Pharmacy with no delivery fees.

42 thoughts on “Unemployed? Find Available Benefits
  1. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a co-worker who had been doing a little
    research on this. And he in fact bought me lunch simply because I stumbled upon it for him…
    lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanx for spending some time to discuss this issue here on your internet site.

  2. I am really enjoying the theme/design of your blog.
    Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues?
    A small number of my blog audience have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
    Do you have any suggestions to help fix this problem?

  3. Simply want to say your article is as amazing. The clarity to
    your submit is just excellent and i could think you’re knowledgeable on this subject.
    Fine along with your permission let me to grasp your RSS feed to keep updated with imminent post.
    Thanks one million and please carry on the enjoyable work.

  4. Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break.
    I really like the info you provide here and can’t wait to
    take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, great site!

  5. hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely
    picked up anything new from right here. I did
    however expertise some technical points using this web
    site, as I experienced to reload the site a lot of times previous to
    I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK?
    Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times
    will sometimes affect your placement in google and could damage your high quality score if
    ads and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for much more of your respective intriguing content.
    Ensure that you update this again very soon.

  6. Simply desire to say your article is as surprising.
    The clearness in your post is just cool and i can assume you are an expert on this subject.
    Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.

    Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.

  7. расценки на ремонт квартир
    в караганде, расценки строительных работ в караганде қр тәуелсіздігін ресми
    түрде жариялаған алғашқы мемлекет халықаралық банктер мен қорлар тенгрианские
    руны, тюркские руны, значение

  8. новый театр алматы афиша, almaty theatre открытие ufc 279 прямой
    эфир, прямой эфир бой жануя косшы, казахстанская социально-медицинская компания жанұя квартира в районе саяхата алматы, кенжехан квартира аренда

  9. бірлік тірлік сөздеріне сөйлем
    құрау, тірлігі сөйлем құрау екінті намазынан кейін ұйықтау сколько стоит доставка авто из кореи в
    казахстан, перевозка машины из кореи в казахстан грин гарден саженцы, грин сервис прайс лист

  10. May I just say what a comfort to discover someone that actually understands what they are discussing over the
    internet. You actually understand how to bring
    a problem to light and make it important. More
    and more people ought to read this and understand this side of
    your story. I was surprised that you aren’t more popular since you certainly have the gift.

  11. мүгедектi оңалтудың жеке бағдарламасы,
    оңалтудың негізгі принциптері кентавр асқар
    алтай анализ, асқар алтай кентавр
    әңгімесі рим цифрлары жазылуы,
    рим цифрларымен жаз бір таңбалы функция қасиеттері және оның берілу тәсілдері, функция және оның берілу
    тәсілдері 10 сынып қмж

  12. ерте орта ғасырлық мемлекеттердің мәдениеті, ерте орта ғасырлардағы мемлекеттер onlinebank halyk, halyk bank kazakhstan address
    сюжетті сурет салудың негізгі міндеті, сурет салу сабақ жоспары балабақша тау кен өнеркәсібі дамыған елдер, тау кен өнеркәсібі шоғырланған аймақ

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *