Lose Your Job? Make These 4 Moves To Stay Afloat

They say everyone’s hiring right now, but that does not help you sleep at night if you just lost your job. Sure, there may be many places where you can apply, but that’s no guarantee that you’ll get hired right away. And until you do get hired, you’ll need to find ways to generate income so you can pay your bills and keep your family safe.

Here we tell you some cities that pay you to move there, Check them!

Newton, Iowa

Newton is 30 minutes from Des Moines, Iowa, which was recently named one of the best places to live in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report list.

The city offers eligible applicants $10,000 to purchase a new construction home as part of its home buyer incentive program. However, the home must be worth at least $190,000 to qualify.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

As one of Oklahoma’s major cities, Tulsa offers plenty of cultural amenities to residents, including the Bob Dylan Center and a riverfront park named one of the best new travel attractions by USA Today.

The Tulsa Remote program offers newcomers a $10,000 grant for buying a house in the area. To qualify, you need to have a full-time remote worker or self-employed outside Oklahoma.

West Virginia, Charleston

Charleston has rapidly declined in population in recent years, leaving many quality jobs understaffed. To reverse its latest trends, it set up the Charleston Roots Initiative. With its $5,000 cash incentive and an ongoing potential bonus to earn more, it can be an excellent decision for relocation.

These are three examples of cities that pay you to move there and have new possibilities to grow up financially. And instead of discussing side hustles and other ways to generate income while unemployed, let’s look at some places you can contact to find financial assistance.

1. Apply for unemployment benefits.

Did you know that money is taken out of each paycheck via federal and state unemployment taxes? It’s true, and here’s why: Those taxes are a buffer that can come in handy should you lose your job. Why is this important? Because some people refrain from applying for unemployment, as they don’t like handouts. Unemployment benefits are not a handout, however, since you pay them via taxes and are essentially paying yourself back.

You shouldn’t wait to file for unemployment, as those benefits could take a few weeks to kick in.
Instead, file as soon as you become unemployed or lose hours at work. That way, you’ll be able to avoid any major gaps in income so you can pay your bills until you find new employment.

Filing for unemployment is done through the states. To find your state’s unemployment office so you can begin the filing process, visit this link.

2. Find free food.

With filing for unemployment out of the way, you now have to think of necessities. There’s nothing more essential than food, and there are several places you can turn to find it at no cost.

For starters, look to charities like the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities. Both are known to offer food assistance to those who need it. Another way to find emergency food assistance is to dial 211 on your phone. When the local operator answers, ask where you can find food banks or pantries in your area. Lastly, you can get emergency food assistance via Feeding America. It has a massive list of food banks and pantries under its umbrella, so you should have luck there.

3. Get help with your bills.

Your bills won’t stop coming in just because you lost your job. To keep your lights from getting shut off or your landlord off your back, ask for rent and utility assistance from your local Catholic Charities or Salvation Army. Calling 211 could also help here.

4. Shore up your health insurance.

Don’t forget health insurance, either. If you have coverage and are worried about a lapse, apply for COBRA to maintain those medical benefits.

Since COBRA may be too expensive, you may also want to try contacting your local hospital. Ask if they offer medical assistance for unemployed workers or people with low income. They may be able to put you on a sliding fee scale that meshes with your limited budget.

Explore these three cities and the different options that we share with you regarding the unemployment benefits you can get when you get a new job.