Finding the Right Help During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) Outbreak

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak has presented many challenges for people across the United States. The Benefits.gov Program recognizes the difficulties that many are facing and wants to help citizens find the assistance they need, whether it be unemployment, healthcare, temporary assistance, or food and nutrition.

Benefits.gov hosts information on over 1,000 federal and state benefits and aims to increase the ease of access to assistance programs for people in need. Considering the coronavirus outbreak, Benefits.gov has compiled a list of resources citizens may find helpful. Below you will find assistance programs available for eligible individuals, spanning from food stamps, unemployment benefits, healthcare benefits, emergency business loans, and more.

Unemployment Resources

Many Americans are facing unemployment or a lapse in employment as social distancing policies are enacted to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. There are resources available for individuals who need unemployment assistance, including Unemployment Insurance, which provides unemployment benefits to those who lose their job through no fault of their own. Pre-check your eligibility for Unemployment Insurance using the questionnaire at the bottom of the page. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for Disaster Unemployment Insurance. Check your eligibility using the short questionnaire at the bottom of the page or using the Benefit Finder.

Check out the Unemployment Assistance category on Benefits.gov and filter by state to see what unemployment benefits are available to you.

Healthcare Coverage

Many Americans may be concerned about their healthcare coverage at this time. For workers – and their families – who have had a lapse of employment or who have become unemployed during the outbreak, COBRA Continuation Coverage may be the right choice for you.

Many citizens may also be interested in exploring their options in Medicare and Medicaid. Understanding the key differences between Medicare and Medicaid can help you find the best options for you and your family. The Medicare program typically provides health insurance for people who are 65 and older while the Medicaid program provides insurance to low-income individuals, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Use the Benefit Finder to prescreen your eligibility for both programs and more.

Browse the Healthcare and Medical Assistance category to explore different programs.

Resources for Businesses in Need

States have enacted guidelines to help stop the spread of coronavirus, which may put a strain on businesses. Our partner, the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced plans to coordinate with states to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and nonprofits that have been severely impacted by the coronavirus under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

Explore more business loan opportunities within the Business Loans subcategory and find more options within the Disaster Relief category.

Resources for Families in Need

The coronavirus has had an impact on everyday life, and families have been challenged to adjust. For families requiring temporary assistance during the outbreak, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program can help provide financial assistance and related support.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves millions of people annually, ensuring that they and their families have access to nutritious food options. The SNAP for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides for the special dietary needs of nursing and pregnant women, infants, and children under the age of five. Read our helpful articles on how SNAP and WIC benefits can help you and your family and how to apply. To explore more options, visit our Food and Nutrition category to find what best suits your situation.

For assistance with heating and cooling expenses, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps provide low-income families with their heating and cooling energy costs. If you’re curious about other options for utility assistance, browse the Housing and Public Utilities category to find programs for your needs.

Use the Benefit Finder, an online questionnaire, to discover more benefits that you and your family may be eligible for and learn how to apply.

With the ongoing uncertainty around the economy, caused by coronavirus, many employers are still reorganising their existing workforces and job vacancies are down as a result. The tech sector, for example, has seen a 31% drop in job vacancies over the last month. 

This doesn’t mean you need to stop looking, but it’s a perfect time to reconsider your approach. Take time to develop your online networking presence through your profile on job sites like LinkedIn and Monster, and utilise online career courses, like this from University of Sheffield on How to Succeed at Writing Applications. 

You could also consider enhancing your CV with additional qualifications. FutureLearn has a diverse selection of short courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from around the world.

When applying for new jobs it’s also important to write as clearly as possible and without typos. Grammarly is a free Google Chrome plugin that will help improve your writing standards and make your job applications stand out.