Paying the bills when unemployed or underemployed is like ‘eating the elephant.’ It must be done one bite at a time. The first step toward keeping up with bills is to develop a detailed budget. The What is Money Management site provides links to budgeting tools. These tools can help you organize a budget and eliminate unneeded spending.

If you have been laid off, please visit the Illinois workNet site for Laid Off Worker Assistance. This site connects you with benefits, financial planning, jobs searches and more. Illinois workNet also provides a Public Assistance and Support site with links to TANF, medical assistance, food stamps, emergency food sources, energy assistance, and seasonal farm worker assistance. The site will help you locate Department of Human Services providers.

Below is information to help you meet financial challenges when unemployed or underemployed.

Medical and Insurance Issues

• As reported by the Washington Post,  a 2007 Harvard University study found “62.1 of all bankruptcies have a medical cause.” Medical insurance does not solve the problem in many cases. 75% of the medical bankruptcy filers had medical insurance.
• Locating healthcare is made much easier by visiting links provided at the Illinois workNet Healthcare Services page.
• Illinois Department of Insurance  provides information about a new subsidy which reduces the cost of COBRA and other similar insurance coverage by 65%.
• CommunityHealth provides free medical service to qualified persons in Chicago and surrounding areas.
• A March 9, 2009 news release from Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services  announced funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This funding will “increase enrollment of eligible children in All Kids, which provides health coverage to all uninsured Illinois children.”
• Visit this site to find links to the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan.

Nutrition

• Illinois Department of Human Services Overview of the Food Stamp Program .
• Illinois workNet provides the information and forms you need to apply for food stamps and other assistance.
• Stateline.org reveals the many benefits of the Food Stamp program to individuals and the economy.
• The Wall Street Journal explains why food stamp use helps the economy in real time.

Mortgages

• Hope Now answers questions about The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan.
• NOLO provides information on the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan.
• According to a July 14, 2009 Reuters article, jobless homeowners may seek mortgage assistance.
• Govtrack.us provides an update on the 2009 Mortgage Assistance and Scam Protection act.

Debt Consolidation and Reduction - Does and Don’ts

• The ExpertLaw website discusses a variety of debt management topics.
• Family Resource.com gives an opinion on debt consolidation
• eHow has suggestions for paying bills when unemployed.

Volunteering

Many individuals have found employment and other benefits from volunteering.

• Illinois workNet answers many questions about volunteering and provides links to get you connected with the right opportunities.
• The official SERVE Illinois website provides links to volunteer opportunities and discusses the benefits of volunteering.
• Bizzy Women highlights the skill building and networking aspect of volunteering.

Entertainment

• Use the library. You can find your favorite magazines, as well as music CDs, movies, and free internet service at most libraries. Publiclibraries.com can help you locate all libraries in the United States.
• Many festivals and events in Illinois are free to the public. We Go Places will help you locate events.

General suggestions for frugal living

• Dumb Little Man lets you in on secrets to frugal living.
• My Bank Tracker provides suggestions for saving money when unemployed.
• The Simple Dollar suggests 100 ways anyone can save money.

There is help is available to individuals who have been laid off from their job. Check out Illinois workNet resources to quickly and easily find information and services you want and need to achieve your re-employment goals.

Connect to Benefits and Services - watch the video, and learn more about programs, benefits and services. Learn how to file online for Unemployment Insurance, for example.

Develop a Financial Management Plan - watch the video, and learn about money management. Resources on Illinois workNet include online calculators, games, and worksheets.

Explore Career and Training Opportunities - watch the video, and learn about careers and job training in Illinois.

Get Organized - watch the video, and learn about getting your work history and education history organized. Prepare a resume and be ready for job interviews.

Search For Jobs - watch the video, and find Illinois job openings for all skill and experience levels.

Achieve Your Goal - watch the video, and get tips to achieve your re-employment goals.