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Unemployed Due to Coronavirus? Find Available Benefits
Special to The Truth
Self-quarantines and
stay-at-home orders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are
having an impact on employment right now, and that may
continue for some time. During this period of uncertainty,
finding ways to pay bills or keep medical benefits are top
concerns for many. Here are some tips from Janine Nowatzky,
managing director of Inside Rx.
What is unemployment
insurance and how do I sign up?
Unemployment insurance is
a program between your state and the federal government that
provides money when you’ve lost your job. With the federal
government’s passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Security (CARES) Act, you can receive an enhanced
benefit. It authorizes:
• Self-employed and gig
workers to receive benefits
• An extra $600 a week for
up to six months
• An extra 13 weeks of
benefits beyond what your state currently provides
Each state’s rules are
different. Review your state’s unemployment insurance
program to learn about how to apply for benefits. Or learn
more by visiting www.usa.gov/unemployment.
How much money will I get?
It will vary by state. But
remember, under the CARES Act, you will be able to get an
additional $600 a week for up to six months. The program’s
start date was set to Jan. 27. So if you lost your job due
to COVID-19-related reasons between the end of January and
now, then you should be able to receive the additional
benefit.
What about health
insurance?
It’s scary to think about
getting through this pandemic without health insurance. What
benefits you’re able to keep all depends on who you work
for. The first step is to ask your employer. They may allow
you to continue your health coverage for a short period of
absence.
If your employer is
allowing you to keep your insurance, be sure to clarify if
your missed premium payments will be:
• Covered partially or
fully by your employer
• Deducted when you come
back to work
• Have to be paid now to
continue getting insurance
Your employer may also
offer health care coverage through COBRA, but that can be
very expensive.
A limited number of states
have also opened enrollment to their own Affordable Care Act
(ACA) health insurance exchanges. You may be able to sign up
for a health insurance plan – even without a life-changing
event, which is the usual exception to the standard open
enrollment periods.
What about prescription
medications?
It’s so important to keep
taking your medications to stay as strong and healthy as
possible. If you weren’t able to get health insurance with
prescription benefits, there are prescription drug savings
programs like Inside Rx that can help. The program offers
access to thousands of brand and generic medications for
you, your family, and your pets at a fraction of the cost,
helping you save an average of 40 to 80 percent. You can
fill your prescription at over 60,000 pharmacies in the U.S.
and Puerto Rico. Or, you can continue to socially distance
and stay safe by getting your medications delivered right to
your home through the Express Scripts Pharmacy with no
delivery fees.
While losing one’s primary
source of income is stressful and scary, taking advantage of
available benefits can help you and your family stay
healthy.
Courtesy StatePoint
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