How the Feds Help the Unemployed Find Jobs
Programs the U.S. Government Offers to Laid Off American Workers
Oct 2, 2009
Job seekers who have become unemployed due to downsizing don’t have to go it alone. There are government-sponsored services out there that can offer a helping hand either to find new employment opportunities or to develop new skills to become more marketable. It’s just a matter of knowing where to look.
Federal Job Service Programs
The most important thing to keep in mind is that just as with any job search it will take some time to read and review the information available and determine what services are applicable for each person’s particular situation. However, that being said, one of the first places job seekers might want to begin their job search is with the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
This website is stuffed with information and news about benefits, training and financial services available to different groups of workers such as those adversely affected by foreign trade as well as those in manufacturing and the auto industry. It also provides self and career assessment tools, employee's rights and dealing with job loss.
However, job seekers who want to cut to the heart of the matter need to follow the ‘Worker ReEmployment’ link straight to careeronestop.org, the federally-sponsored state-run website that provides information on where to get financial help, find a job, receive career counseling as well as resume and interviewing guidance, how to change careers and upgrade skills.
Or job seekers whose goal it is to actually find a job with the federal government might want to visit the main federal government website in order to investigate current employment opportunities with the U.S. Government. But that’s not all. This website also offers assistance to homeowners who are facing foreclosure. And for those who have questions about their health insurance and COBRA coverage, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services offers a website called continuationcoverage.net.
Government Education and Work Grants
Instead of landing a work opportunity, job seekers may be interested in either returning to school or starting their own business. In that case, they may be in need of a grant.
Grants can provide financial assistance while attending a qualified educational institution and unlike student loans the money does not need to be repaid. The U.S. Department of Education offers a ton of information about the various kinds of financial aid (such as loans, grants, and work-study programs), how to apply, common myths, and more. In addition, many state governments offer student grants as well.
As for grants to start up a business, according to business.gov all those late-night infomercials and Internet offers are scams. There are no federal grants for starting a business. However, all is not lost.
Some states do offer grants for very specific business operations such as day care and energy efficiency. Plus there are state and federal low-interest loans and venture capital financing available. Business.gov is also a great resource for how to start a small business with details on business plan writing, franchising, zoning, starting an online business and more.
The fact is that there are a lot of resources out there at both the state and federal level. It’s just a matter of asking around or doing the research in order to find out how the feds (and state) can help the unemployed.
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