Unemployment Action Plan
Register for Unemployment Compensation: Call (877) 644-6562 or register online at www.unemployment.ohio.gov.
List All Expenses: This should include fixed expenses such as mortgage, rent, future expenses such as property taxes and income taxes. See if there is any way to reduce expenses and save money.
Prioritize Bills: List payments in order of importance. Mortgage or rent, car payments and utilities should be at the top of the list.
Make a List of all Creditors: For each creditor list the name, address and phone number of the contact person, account number, total amount due, payment date and interest rate.
Notify Your Creditors Before You Fall Behind
- Mortgage: Contact your lender’s loss mitigation department
- Rent Payments: Contact your landlord
- Student Loans: Contact your lender for a deferment or forbearance during a period of unemployment
- Car Payments: Contact your lender
Other Important Things to Consider
COBRA: If you had health insurance before losing your job, you should be able to buy COBRA insurance. COBRA stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which allows some employees temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates.
Don’t Use Retirement Funds Except as a Last Resort: Raiding your retirement fund may be tempting, but it is extremely costly. The taxes and penalties can eat up as much as 1/3 to 1/2 of the withdrawal. You also lose the tax-deferred returns that you could continue to be earning for your retirement.
State Services
Ohio’s Rapid Response: The Rapid Response Section (RSS) provides a wide range of services to workers being laid off. For more information, call (614) 466-3817.
SkillsLink: SkillsLink is an outplacement service of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). Free services include job analysis, job development, and job search help. For more information, visit their website at
www.ohioworkforce411.gov or call (614) 644-0677.
Community Resources
Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS): This organization helps people learn to manage money, balance their budgets, and get out of debt through comprehensive personal finance education and credit counseling. They can be of great help to you in managing your situation through a period of unemployment.
Unions: If you are a union member contact your local office. They may have a community service liaison to assist you with unemployment options.
Local Veterans Commission: If you or your spouse is a veteran, there are resources, services, and programs available to help you. Call the Ohio Department of Veterans Services for more information at (888) 387-6446 or visit
www.dvs.ohio.gov.