In addition
to the assistance offered by DC 37, a number of resources are available to help
laid off members find jobs and support themselves during unemployment.
Unemployment Insurance
To file an unemployment insurance claim, call
1-888-209-8124. For hearing impaired individuals, call 1-800-662-1220. Information
is available on the New York State Dept. of Labor Web site at www.labor.state.ny.us.
Government services
Several federally-funded programs exist to
help unemployed people, including public assistance, Supplemental Security Income,
emergency food allotments, food stamps, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families,
Medicaid, Medicare and the WIC program. Call 800-342-3009.
Food Assistance
SHARE New York is a food assistance program, which provides you with $30 worth
of quality food for $14. To qualify, you must do two hours of community service.
Call 718-518-1513 to find out about the closest Share Center.
Employment
and Training Referral Services
Veterans Employment Service: Call 800-342-3358.
Federation Employment & Guidance Services (FEGS): Call 212-366-8400 or
visit 135 Hudson St., New York, NY 10013.
Office of Vocational and Education
Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID): Call 212-630-2300 or visit
116 W. 32nd St., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
Workforce Career Centers,
operated with a grant from the New York City Dept. of Employment, provides comprehensive
job training and employment services. It has offices in Manhattan (212-621-0702),
Brooklyn (718-694-9100), Queens (718-557-6755), the Bronx (718-960-4678) and Staten
Island (718-390-0676).
Workforce Development Program, sponsored by the
New York City Central Labor Council, provides free counseling services to union
and nonunion persons who are seeking help for family, emotional, stress, marital
or drug and alcohol problems. For a confidential appointment, call 212-532-7575.
Budget and Credit Counseling
This service, supported by the New
York Central Labor Council and Central Labor Rehabilitation Council, offers union
members confidential, one-on-one counseling and advice on such topics as budgeting,
debt consolidation, credit reports, consumer rights, establishing credit, home
ownership and bankruptcy. For an appointment, call 212-532-1239.
Municipal
Credit Union
The MCU will help laid-off members with their loan obligations.
Its hardship program permits members with outstanding loans to defer payments
on the principal, double the remaining term of the loan, delay mortgage payments
up to six months and refinance the loan to lower monthly payments. The credit
union will also enter a settlement agreement to permit the member to pay only
85 percent of the current balance. Call 866-836-9844.
Internet sites
Helpful Internet sites for the unemployed include www.nelp.org
(the National Employment Law Project), http://nyup.tripod.com/
(New York Unemployment Project) and www.unemployedworkers.org,
which helps workers fight to extend unemployment benefits.