When You Lose Your Job

Job Loss

Adjusting to job loss is never easy. But there are many resources and services available to help you. Below are some of your options:

Apply for Unemployment Benefits on the first day that you are unemployed or your work hours are reduced. Unemployment Insurance information is available at the Department of Employment and Economic Development's website.
Find out about income that reduces or delays payment of your weekly benefit amount.
Explore your options for healthcare with your former employer.
Ask your former employer about qualifying for other benefits such as vacation, sick pay, outplacement services or stock options.
Learn about the Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Program which helps homeowners keep their homes during a temporary financial crisis.
Visit your local WorkForce Center for resources and workshops to help you in your job search.
If you were affected by a layoff or encounter certain kinds of barriers in your job search you might be eligible to participate in the Dislocated Worker Program.
If you were laid off, it's important to know your rights. For information regarding compensation packages, employer's responsibilities, and your responsibilities and benefit options, refer to these frequently asked questions.
Seek the assistance of Career Counselors.
Use Job Seeker Services to find a variety of services including transportation, child daycare, counseling and English translation.

Visit the following sections in ISEEK to organize your job search:

Get Started
Explore the Job Market
Create Resume
Apply for Jobs
Interview and Negotiate

Use Job Websites to find temporary job agencies as well as sites that feature job postings and job interviewing.
Use the Employability Checkup to assess your ability to find a similar job at a similar wage if you became unemployed today.
Minnesota Veterans Programs have a variety of services designed to assist veterans in searching for employment.
If you lost your job (or your hours and wages are reduced) as a result of increased imports, you may qualify for income assistance through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act (TAA) .
If your job loss is due to a major natural disaster, you may qualify for temporary income assistance through the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program.

Page last updated in February 2008.