Finances, health insurance and employment – It’s a relief when we have them and a stress when we don’t. For a very large majority of Americans, these facets of life are also inseparable. For example, without employment, we may also lack insurance, causing personal and public healthcare costs to skyrocket when we get sick or injured. The Amputee Coalition of America may not be able to locate your next job for you, or provide insurance for you and your family, but we hope that these resources will be useful to you if you find yourself in need.
Employment
Looking for and landing a good job may involve some luck, but it’s also a matter of skill. Whether you’ve been laid off, you’re entering the workforce for the first time or simply looking for a new job, it’s no secret that you have to stand out to your potential employers. In a recession, the competition for jobs is even more fierce, leaving little to no room for errors. Here are some tips and resources to help you brush up on your job-hunting skills.
Writing a Résumé and Cover Letter
- Include a statement about the type of work you are seeking.
- Avoid generalizing your experience. Speak to your specific skills and qualifications.
- Get to the point in one page.
- Have someone else whose opinion you trust proofread your résumé and offer feedback.
Interviewing
- Depending on the type of job, a suit may not be necessary, but there is no question that your appearance must still be clean and professional.
- Always send a thank-you card afterwards.
- Try to be at least 5 minutes early.
Networking
- Alert everyone you know that you are looking for a job.
- Contact people who are already working in the field you are trying to enter and ask for tips for breaking in or leads for open positions.
- Try to locate job openings before they are advertised. You might try to develop contacts within a company or organization where you’d like to work. If you don’t know anyone within a company, you can still send them your résumé and cover letter and let them know of your availability. Follow up with a phone call.
Persistence
- Make it a point to look for work every day.
- Try to have a good attitude – people will notice and want to help you.
Other Resources
Guerilla Tactics in the Job Market: How to Win the Job of Your Life by Garth Brockman
What Color Is Your Parachute? by Dick Bolles
Federal Employment of People With Disabilities
Jobs, Employers and Job Hunt Resources
Job Hunter’s Bible
Just One Break (JOB)
National Center on Workforce and Disability
Insurance
Having insurance often means being employed. People with preexisting conditions or disabilities who are unemployed are at risk for falling through the cracks yet are in many cases more likely to need insurance. While the ACA is making headway with the Prosthetic Parity Act, enabling more and more people to obtain coverage for prosthetic limbs, there are many people who do not even have insurance to begin with. If you are unemployed or otherwise without insurance, it pays to know your options – and your rights – before applying for private insurance (Getting Covered: Finding Health Insurance When You Lose Your Job – Families USA)
COBRA
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Of 2009 allows for premium reductions and additional election opportunities. Know what you are entitled to if you have lost your job.
Department of Labor COBRA Guidelines
Know Your COBRA Rights
Disability & Future Insurability
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Select your state from the drop-down menu to learn more about eligibility and application process.
Insure Kids Now!
Medicare/Medicaid
Benefits vary from state to state.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Social Security Online
Private Insurance
If you need to purchase private insurance, make sure you comparison shop by asking tough questions first.
Selecting an Insurance Policy: What You Need to Know, by David McGill, inMotion, May/June 2007.
Ask the Insurance Advocate: Simple Answers to Some Hard Questions, by Gerald B. Kagan, inMotion, May/June 2007.
Selecting the Appropriate Healthcare Insurance Plan, by Bill Dupes, inMotion May/June 2007.
Dealing with Insurance Companies: Questions They Would Rather You Not Ask, by Raymond Francis, LCP, inMotion, July/August 2006.
Financial and Social Services
The following Web sites are provided to help you gain access to support services in your region. If you know of other services that we should add to this list, please contact us.
211 Call Center Search
Provides information and referrals to community services across the U.S.
211 Info Bank
Credit Counseling and Debtor Education
These agencies promote individual fiscal responsibility and helps people avoid bankruptcy through a series of debt repayment programs and financial counseling. However, not all agencies are the same. Please read the Federal Trade Commission’s “Facts for Consumers” before contacting an agency.
Government Approved Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Agencies
Disability Resources
Search for state and local disability services.
DisabilityInfo.gov
Home Modification Assistance
Funding or other assistance for home modifications such as ramps.
HUD Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
National Caregivers Library
Volunteers of America
Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Information about assistance available for struggling homeowners
Recovery Act Programs
Foreclosure Avoidance Counseling
Patient Assistance Programs (PAP)
You may be eligible to receive prescription drugs free of charge from the drug companies through PAPs
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Rural Resources
Agricultural Workers
AgrAbility
Caregiving
Easter Seals and National Alliance for Caregiving Report: Caregiving in Rural America
Rural Assistance Center
Rural Transportation
Fact Sheet: Accessible Transportation in Rural Areas
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Income for people who are unable to work because of a disability.
Apply or Appeal
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
A monthly stipend to aged, blind or disabled persons based on need.
Apply or Appeal
Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
Programs vary from state to state.
Department of Veterans Affairs
State Protection & Advocacy Organization Information
Managing Stress
Stress-related health problems can arise from anything we can’t control, including employment and financial matters. But you don’t have to let stress rule your life – or ruin your health. Taking even a few moments a day to focus on your health and well-being can keep you from getting sick during a crisis – which can help you stay focused on the goal of getting a job, paying off debt or seeking financial assistance services.
Symptoms of excessive stress include:
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Grinding teeth
- Neck and back pain
- Shortness of breath
- Skin problems
- Overeating
- Undereating
- Mood swings
- Excessive worry, anxiety, or depression
- Difficulty concentrating.
Fortunately, even taking 10 minutes a day can help reduce the buildup of stress in the body and help the mind focus on solutions rather than worry. Examples may include:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Imagery and visualization exercises
- Yoga
- Journaling
- Eating plenty of fresh vegetables
- Slowing down
- Practicing acceptance
- Getting organized and planning ahead.
Additional Resources
How to Deal with Stress Study Guides and Strategies
Staying Healthy in a Sick Economy ConsumerAffairs.com
Stress American Diabetes Association
Stress Management: Ways to Relieve Stress WebMD
