Resources
So we all know being unemployed can be a blast, but if you’re starting to feel desperate:
New York State Unemployment
If you have worked in New York State for at least 6 months and have earned at least $1600 per quarter, you may qualify for unemployment. It is essential to file a claim for unemployment as soon as you find out you have been terminated. Note that you will not be eligible for unemployment if you quit your job or if you are terminated for cause. In New York State, weekly unemployment payments are equal to 1/26 of the high quarter wages paid to you in your base period. For example, if you earned $4,000 in your highest earning quarter, you would receive $153.85 per week from New York State. The current maximum weekly benefit rate is $405 and the maximum amount of unemployment you can receive for each original claim is 26 weekly payments.
For more information or to file a claim, check out the Dept. of Labor website.
Food Stamps
Unlike unemployment, you can apply for food stamps even if you haven’t worked for six months. In New York City, you can find more info and apply here.
Defer Your Student Loan(s)
You can put your student loans into deferment if you meet the qualifications for either “economic hardship” or “unemployment”. Economic hardship means that your income falls under the statutory minimum. You can prove this with a copy of your tax return or your most recent pay-stubs, or if you are not currently employed you can state this. Unemployment means that you are unemployed, seeking work and/or receiving unemployment benefits. You can prove this by showing that you have registered with a search agency or that you are receiving checks from an unemployment agency.
It is always better to put your loans into deferment, rather than forbearance, as the latter will cause your loans to continue to accrue interest. Generally, subsidized federal loans will not accrue interest while in deferment.
Make sure to keep track of when the deferment period will end (usually after one year). In most circumstances you can reapply for deferment every year for the maximum allowed period (usually 3 years).
For Stafford and Perkins loans – check out their website.
For Private loans – contact your lender and ask them to send you the proper deferment forms.
Recruiters
Temp agencies for attorneys and paralegals (list)
Legal Recruiters Directory 2008 (list)
Forrest Solutions – Financial, Accounting, Legal, Information Technology and Support Staff Careers
Marketing Recruiters (list)
Management Recruiters of Grammarcy – Advertising and Communications careers
Job Listings
Idealist – public interest, non-profit and do-gooder jobs
Craigslist - general listings
Careerbuilder – general listings
LawCrossing - attorney and legal jobs, you have to pay for this one, but you can sign up for a free trial
Opportunity Knocks – nonprofit jobs
USA Jobs – job opportunities with the federal government
NYC Agency Jobs – job opportinities at New York City agencies
NYC Jobs – general
NYC Happy Hours and Drink Specials
A world without work...
