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Unemployment benefits:

1. First and most important, if you have been let go from your job, apply for unemployment benefits, even if you don’t think you qualify. If you get turned down but think you are entitled, challenge their decision. If you have received unemployment in the last few years that have run out, re-apply. Congress extended benefits several months ago, and I believe that extension applies to benefits you received going back a year or more.

2. Go to your local unemployment office, even if you don’t qualify for benefits, and find out about the various options available to you. You may qualify for free job training in a new field or other programs. They also offer classes in updating your resume, networking, and interviewing. Oftentimes these services are available for anyone who is unemployed, whether they qualify for monetary benefits or not.

Health care & prescriptions:

1. Find out about programs in your state, city, or county for low-income folks with no medical benefits. Where I live, there is a program for residents who qualify that provides free or low-cost medical care and prescriptions through our county hospital. I never would have found out about this if I hadn’t made a whole lot of calls and persistently pushed for information. Government programs are notoriously difficult to navigate, but once you get in they can actually work for you. Be sure to be nice and polite to whoever answers the phone, no matter how many times you’ve been transferred or put on hold or disconnected—they may tip you off to other options or resources that you weren’t aware of.

A note about receiving government assistance for health care or anything else you may need: Don’t be too proud to accept this assistance. It is YOUR tax dollars that pay for it, and oftentimes these programs exist for exactly the situation you are in. Take advantage of it without guilt; when you get back on your feet you will resume contributing with your tax dollars so that others can benefit.

2. Research walk-in clinics in your area with sliding scale fees. Yes, you may have to wait in a crowded room for several hours before you see a doctor, but the cost is minimal. I saw a fantastic nurse practitioner at a walk-in clinic near my home who spent more time with me and listened more carefully than any doctor I have seen in recent memory. One visit involved an exam and lab work, and the grand total was $15.00. If you are given a prescription, don’t forget to ask if they have any free samples.

3. If you belong to the American Automobile Association (AAA), you are eligible for a discount on your prescriptions at certain pharmacies if you do not belong to a health care plan.

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