Just a wee bit of advice even if you are still working

[Donnachaidh]

Take the time to see exactly WHAT your county is offering for aid. The way the economy is diving, I don't know of too many people in my area who can say their jobs are recession-proof. Do yourself a favor - get the information BEFORE it hits the fan. Learn what you have to do to GET help. Find out what documents are required, etc., and keep a (what I call) SOL file, in case you may need to ask for help down the line.

Even if you don't use the information - you can have it handy for friends who get the big boot out of their jobs. THAT can be so helpful for someone who is dealing with the shock of losing a job they'd worked for decades. And it IS shock.

It may seem weird, but a lot of the folks who are losing jobs have always worked, and don't KNOW what to do and where to go. And thanks to cutbacks and legislation pushed to *starve the beast called government* many programs are under-funded, or perhaps privatized. But programs are STILL there.

Many people are using up their retirement funds, or selling things they can to survive. They also need the information about programs that are being offered to help, that they helped pay for.

Even if you don't foresee losing a job, get the information anyway. Then you will be aware of what is out there, and can help someone else get through the stunned part of dealing with a job loss. You can also see what is available, and even use the information in a political sense like contacting your Congresscritter and asking WHY programs have been underfunded, etc. Information is power.

Be PREPARED. Even if you don't need to be. The world is upside down, and it never hurts to be informed and ready if it hits the fan.

[sandnsea]

1. Get help when you're first qualified for it

Don't wait until the day before you're evicted to swallow your pride. You can usually at least avoid the worst if you just get what help you're ENTITLED to, by law, when you first become in need.

[Donnachaidh]

2. EXACTLY.

Don't WAIT. The help is out there - get it.

[Warpy]

3. There are two invaluable nuggets of advice here

1. Get your ducks in a row. Be prepared.

2. Don't take it personally.

I'm afraid it's going to be shocking to a lot of people out there when their jobs suddenly get yanked out from under them. The worst thing they can do is sit around, stunned and helpless. That way lies depression and suicide.

[Donnachaidh]

6. one of the local counselors mentioned that she is seeing more and more

people in need of counseling, and perhaps even medication, just to get through the day to day grind of looking for work when there isn't any. And she said - it's NOT shameful to do. Sometimes it's the only thing you can do.

[merh]

4. It would be helpful if you could provide links

as examples - like what exactly?

I know where the homeless shelters are, the soup kitchens, the other help that is out there - I have no clue as to what you mean.

[Donnachaidh]

5. It's about contacting your local County to see what programs are out there

For AID.

It's not just about soup kitchens and homeless shelters. There are programs to help with medical problems. there are programs to help with psychological problems -- and people sometimes DO need help in that area after losing their jobs and pensions, and possibly even their home.

There are foodstamp programs. There are groups that may help you with utility payments. There are programs that may provide re-training for older americans out of work due to manufacturing.

The point is -- it ain't JUST about homeless shelters and soup kitchens. CALL your local county government and FIND OUT. Keep the information HANDY. Or give it to a neighbor in need.

But be sure you know WHAT is out there. And be PREPARED.

[merh]

7. Like I said, providing a listing of what to look for would be helpful

and maybe there are folks on DU that live in your state, your list could help them.

[Donnachaidh]

8. As I don't know what state you live in, I can't do that.

But I'm sure you could make one phone call locally to get all the information you need.

Your local county office.

:eyes:

[merh]

9. There is no "local county office" that provides the information you

claim exists.

Dense does not become you - provide a list of the organizations in your area so people can look see if similar organizations exist in their area.

Or just tell people what they should do and offer no real help.

[sandnsea]

10. You can put your state + food stamps in google

And that should get anybody going. Here's MS for instance.
http://www.mdhs.state.ms.us/ea_application.html

Most states have a calculator that will guide you through to see what you qualify for. MS may have one and I just didn't hunt long enough, or not. But here's Oregon's, although I had to hunt around in the food stamps page for it, which I did because I knew it was there. I've searched for medical help online before.
http://www.oregonhelps.org/

You can also put in your county and "social services" and then find the county office which is where you usually apply for help.

Then there are the non-profits and hopefully your county web site will link to them.

[Donnachaidh]

12. dense does not become you

I've pretty much listed all the things available in my county. Is it difficult for you to google for your own? Or is it just that you want to contrast and compare my county's programs with your own?

And are you REALLY claiming you have no county office in your area? :eyes:

[merh]

14. You didn't list a thing.

uppity did a great job of giving a listing of agencies others may want to look for in their county.

Relative to the term "county office" - office of the district attorney, clerk of the various courts, supervisors, sheriffs etc are all county offices, they are not the type of offices that have people on staff to answer the questions you think everyone should know to ask. In would appear that most of the "county offices" you refer to are state agencies, you'd have to know the name of the state agency to know to look for the office in your respective county.

Don't bother responding - my questions were legit, you just didn't like being questioned.

[uppityperson]

11. Food stamps, health assistance, energy/heating assistance also.

Up north here we have energy assistance available, but it goes fast. They will pay for electricity, propane, wood for heating.

We have a free clinic, open a few hours/wk. Also there is health assistance if you are low income enough with kids. For we childless adults, meh.

Housing. Section 8 usually has a long waiting list, best to get on as soon as you can if you foresee the need coming up. People with kids can usually get bumped up the list.

Food banks. Seems many communities have these. Nursing home I started worked at again has one in it. People bring in food and take what they need, no questions asked. Which is very interesting.

Had a second hand store that gave away kids books to homeschoolers or parents whose kids needed books and couldn't afford them.


Every community is different, every state is different. I took the OP as a word of caution to see what is out there, available for us where we are, before we are in desperate need. And to keep papers handy to be able to prove what they want (residence, unpaid bills, income, birth cert/passport, etc).

[merh]

15. thank you

your post is much clearer than the OPs and was what I was hoping the OP would provide.

[uppityperson]

16. Well, you know me. Uppity and anal.

Classic virgo here. Oh well.

[merh]

18. I consider it very helpful

thank you :yourock:

[GinaMaria]

13. Here's a resource

from WolverineDG
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2679385&mesg_id=2679901

www.angelfoodministries.com

$30 for a box of food that will feed a family of 4 for a week or a single person for a month.

I've never used this service. It is church-based and if I understand correctly, there will be pamphlets with the food but no high pressure sales talk about joining. I don't think You have to be unemployed or underemployed to use this service. I don't think they ask for any information. Food includes steaks, chicken /meat, sides and deserts etc.

keep this one handy. Just in case.

[RebelOne]

17. There is an Angel Food Ministries near my house.

My neighbor, who was laid off a few months ago, buys their food. She is very happy with it. Fortunately, I don't need to at this time. But if I ever did, all that meat would be useless for me. I'm a vegetarian.

[ProgrezivIndie]

20. "all that meat would be useless for me. I'm a vegetarian" ... look again:

besides their boxes of groceries (for a family of four, for a week) they also have other "special packages" ... while the MENUS may change, from month to month, here's (http://www.angelfoodministries.com/menu_0903en.asp) their March offering:

MARCH SPECIAL #6
Fresh Fruit and Veggie Box $22.00

3 lb. No. 1 Premium Idaho Baking Potatoes
3 lb. No. 1 Premium North Carolina Sweet Potatoes
1 head Premium Florida Green Cabbage
1 lb. Premium California Carrots (cello-packed)
2 lb. Premium Western Grown Yellow Onions
2 pack Premium Fresh Jumbo Garlic (2 pack tube)
1 Large Premium Sweet Cantaloupe
3 lb. Premium Tree-ripened Valencia Oranges
4 each Premium Tree-ripened Honey Tangerines
4 Large Premium Washington State Granny Smith Apples
3 lb. Large Premium Washington State Fuji Apples
1 each Premium Tree-ripened Mango

[GinaMaria]

23. Great find!

That's great to know.

[Blue Diadem]

19. Available assistance usually falls under social services or family services.

Our county calls it job and family services. From there you can find info about food stamps, emergency assistance, health clinics, dental help, even job training under the WIA federally funded program. (That isn't limited to older workers or those in manufacturing). I do believe there is an income eligibility requirement for the training. In our county, WIA can assist with training dollars up to $6,000 per program year for a period of up to 2 years for in demand occupations.

[ProgrezivIndie]

21. thanks for that additional advice/insight... B.D.!

Oft times people who find themselves suddenly in desperate circumstances panic, get depressed, and lose their bearings easily. HELP is available (if you know someone in need of it, encourage them to take it)!

also see: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5182452
* MEDICAL * FOOD * JOBS * (lost job, no insurance, hungry, homeless, etc.)?

[Javaman]

22. Kick for later read. Thanks for the insight. :) nt