Steps to Weathering the Financial Storm
Times are hard, perhaps the worst in your lifetime. But you're not alone. United Way has compiled the following list of resources that can help you survive the financial crisis.
1. If you've been laid off:
- Check to see if you qualify for unemployment benefits--South Carolina Employment Security Commission . This link will take you to a page that has links to filing, registering for work and other helpful information.
- South Carolina Workforce offices
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Columbia Workforce Center 700 Taylor Street P.O. Box 567 (ES) P.O. Drawer 1449 (UI) Columbia, SC 29202 Phone: 803-737-JOBS (737-5627) Job Bank Fax: 803-737-0202 UI/ES Fax 803-737-2756 TelClaim: 866-831-1724 |
Lexington Workforce Center 714 South Lake Drive, Ste. 140 P.O. Box 1769 Lexington, SC 29071 Phone: 803-359-6131 FAX: 803-356-5839 TelClaim: 866-831-1724 |
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Newberry Workforce Center 833 Main Street P.O. Box 498 Newberry, SC 29108 Phone: 803-276-2110 FAX: 803-321-1973 TelClaim: 866-831-1724 |
Winnsboro Workforce Center 1009 Kincaid Bridge Road P.O. Box 859 Winnsboro, SC 29180 Phone: 803-635-2292 FAX: 803-635-4740 TelClaim: 866-831-1724 |
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Orangeburg Workforce Center 1804 Joe Jeffords Highway P.O. Drawer 1486 Orangeburg, SC 29116 Phone: 803-534-3336 FAX: 803-531-8869 TelClaim: 866-831-1724 |
Locate a Workforce Center in your area.
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- Job Search at South Carolina's Virtual OneStop
- Education
- Retraining for a different career
- Vocational programs -- SC Vocational Rehab and Goodwill Industries
- Community colleges -- Midlands Technical College
- Food
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, has served as the foundation of America's national nutrition safety net for more than 30 years. You do not need to be out of work to receive nutritional assistance. For information and to see if you qualify visit SNAP benefits at your local Department of Social Services (DSS)
- Food Pantries – call 2-1-1
- Housing – call 2-1-1
- Temporary Housing
- Mortgage/rent assistance
- Heating/Utility assistance
- Child care Assistance – United Way of the Midlands Child Car Resource and Referral Hotline – Call 2-1-1
- Health care
- Prescription Drugs --FamilyWize prescription discount drug card. A free discount card for people without insurance.
2. If you're losing your house:
- If you are having trouble paying for housing there may be help.
- Emergency short-term assistance with rent or mortgage payments – call 2-1-1 for a listing of agencies with financial resources to help.
- Landlord-Tenant Mediation – Community Mediation Center 803-714-1176 http://www.communitymediationcenter.org/contact.html . The Community Mediation Center provides free or low-cost conflict resolution services to the Midlands community. Their Landlord-Tenant Mediation Program receives funding via United Way of the Midlands.
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Foreclosure help -- Family Service Center 803-733-5450 or 888-320-0350 http://www.fsconline.org/housing/counseling.aspx
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Mortgage default workshops in the Columbia area http://www.fsisc.org/topic.asp?pid=10
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State Housing Mortgage Assistance Potentially receive funding to help save your home here: www.scmortgagehelp.com
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Legal Assistance -- South Carolina Legal Services http://www.sclegal.org/, and South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Resources http://www.scbar.org/public_services/pro_bono_resources/
3. If you have banking issues:
- Find an insured bank - www.fdic.gov/deposit
- Learn about safely saving and investing - http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/roadmap.htm
- Failed Banks and taking the next steps - http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/banking/facts/payment.html
4. If you need bankruptcy protection:
- For businesses - http://www.uscourts.gov/bankruptcycourts/bankruptcybasics/chapter11.html
- For individuals - http://www.uscourts.gov/bankruptcycourts/bankruptcybasics/chapter13.html
5. If you're a retiree:
- Visit the South Carolina Office on Aging on-line
- Is your pension protected? - http://www.pbgc.gov/
- Are you losing company health care?
- Medicare/Medicaid http://www.cms.hhs.gov/
- South Carolina State Health Assistance Program
- You need information on long-term care insurance - http://www.medicare.gov/LongTermCare/Static/Home.asp
- Where do you find supplemental insurance policies? - http://www.medicare.gov/medigap/
- I need to return to work (see section above for information about retraining for a different career, vocational programs, Community colleges and job counseling
Want to talk about your options? Dial 2-1-1 to reach an information and referral specialist.
