Benefits
Key information for immediate actions at the onset of unemployment.
When you lose your job it is important to act quickly to secure Unemployment Insurance, acquire healthcare coverage, and address immediate and long term financial needs.
Applying for Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is available as temporary income for eligible workers in NY State who have become unemployed through no fault of their own. If you have been laid off recently, it is imperative to file for UI benefits during your first week of unemployment. For additional detail please review the FAQ section.
The NYS Department of Labor, Unemployment Insurance Division
If you are seeking immediate assistance for Unemployment Insurance, the NYS Department of Labor: Unemployment Insurance Division provides information on key Unemployment Insurance (UI) questions including: eligibility, how to apply, and extension of benefits.
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/unemploymentassistance.shtm
Health Care
When you lose your job, you are also likely to lose your healthcare coverage, if it is offered through your employer. To ensure your coverage is uninterrupted it is important to determine what healthcare options are available to you.
This section provides information on various resources that are available through COBRA, NYS Department of Labor, US Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA), ACCESS NYC, private insurance providers, and other organizations.
Government Resources
When searching for alternative healthcare coverage, visit the links below to help determine what resources are available to you. There are several public services that can help guide you in your decision-making.
The NYC Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access
Whether you are a working individual or small business owner, check out the resources provided to you by the NYC Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access (OCHIA), including public and private healthcare options. Resources are also available for those who are currently unemployed.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hia/html/home/home.shtml
New York State – Family Health Plus
Family Health Plus is a public health insurance program available to you if your income or resources are too high to qualify for Medicaid. Family Health Plus is available to single adults, couples without children, and parents with limited income who are residents of New York State.
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/fhplus/index.htm
New York State – Child Health Plus
New York State has a health insurance plan for your kids, called Child Health Plus. Depending on your family's income, your child may be eligible to join either Children's Medicaid or Child Health Plus, which are available through dozens of providers throughout the state.
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/chplus/index.htm
The US Department of Labor (DOL)
If you are seeking information and resources on health insurance plans for yourself or family members, be sure to head over to this site, where the US Department of Labor has consolidated consumer information on various health plans.
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/index.htm
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
If you have recently been laid off, federal law requires your employer to allow you to remain on your current health insurance plan offered through your employer for up to 18 months under a program titled COBRA. COBRA will allow you and your family uninterrupted coverage if you are laid off.
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html
COBRA - Continuation Coverage Assistance Appeals Project
This web site and toll-free helpline (1-866-400-6689) will help certain unemployed workers appeal denials of COBRA Premium Assistance under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).The Recovery Act’s premium assistance applies to periods of continuation coverage beginning on or after February 17, 2009 and lasts for up to nine months.
To qualify for premium assistance, a worker must be involuntarily terminated between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009, and elect continuation coverage. The subsidy ends when the worker is offered any new employer-sponsored health care coverage or becomes eligible for Medicare.
http://www.continuationcoverage.net/
Other Healthcare Resources
Additional healthcare resources are available to individuals, families and businesses, including prescription payment assistance and private providers that offer long and short term health insurance. Use the numerous links that provide information on private providers for health insurance (short and long term). Visit these sites to determine eligibility, rates and what plan may be right for you.
Medline Plus- Financial Assistance to Pay for Health Care
If you are seeking financial assistance to help subsidize the cost of healthcare, explore the many resources and information provided by Medline Plus, including options like alternative and complementary medicine.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/financialassistance.html#cat1
Healthfinder.gov
If you are currently exploring healthcare plan options, be sure to check out this site that provides a search capability to learn about various health insurance providers. Additional information is available on free and low-cost health care and drug co-pay and discount programs.
http://www.healthfinder.gov/poprequests/
Financial Assistance to Pay for Healthcare Services
Visit the sites below to learn about potential financial assistance resources available to assist you, including Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs).
ACCESS NYC
Take advantage of ACCESS NYC, a site offering a free service that identifies and screens you for over 30 City, State, and Federal human service benefit programs including childcare, employment and training programs and housing programs.
www.nyc.gov/accessnyc
NYS Insurance Site
Designed to assist small business owners, use this site if you are seeking NYS health insurance plans for your family and employees. Offers a Screener which allows you to answer a quick series of questions to determine whether you might be eligible for Healthy NY.
http://www.ins.state.ny.us/website2/hny/english/hny.htm
NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Explore this NYS sponsored site to find answers to questions about New York State's programs and services including food stamp programs and earned income tax credits.
https://www.mybenefits.ny.gov/selfservice/
US Health Resources and Services Administration
If you currently do not have health insurance or are unable to pay, you can access federally funded community health centers where you pay what you can afford, based on your income. This site can help you find the community health center closest to you.
http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
Retirement Benefits
You have saved for years toward your retirement; review the resources below to help you understand how to continue to manage your assets to meet your long and short-term financial goals. Visit these sites for guidance on your 401K plan and other retirement planning products.
The Internal Revenue Service
This site contains a basic overview of 401(k) plans, a resource guide for employees participanting in the 401(k) program, a list of frequently asked questions, and information on necessary tax filings, classifications, and rules required by the administrators of the 401(k) program if participants are unemployed. Business owners can ensure their plans are updated by using the check-up tools while also viewing information on different plans.
http://www.irs.gov/retirement/participant/index.html
Associated Content
Search information on 401(k)’s and retirement plans in any format (text, video, audio and images).This search aggregator connects you to news, partners and other resources for financial planning.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/topic/7415/401k.html?cat=3