Unemployment Assistance, Debt Counseling, and Financial Literacy

Although being unemployed is never easy and looking for a job is a job in itself, WIC Can Help by referring families to the following resources that can assist with everything from job training to learning how to get out of debt after lost wages from not working.

WHAT LOCAL AGENCIES CAN DO:

1. Become familiar with the consumer tools and tips linked on this page; many are available in multiple languages
2. Make this information available to WIC families in waiting areas, at intake or in regular appointments.
3. Consider providing (or inviting partner organizations to offer) workshops on Paid Family Leave, job seeking and interviewing techniques, resume writing, banking and financial education, etc.
4. Let CWA know what information and referral strategies and materials work best for you, so we can improve this page and inspire other local agencies.

Help Online

Find Paid Family Leave flyers and more in the Community Education & Outreach Toolkit (California Work & Family Coalition) and links to many useful family leave resources all in one place.

Legal Aid at Work’s recently updated Work & Family webpages describe employee protections such as job-guaranteed leave, paid time off and accommodations so workers know their rights. Includes a helpline, fact sheets (in English, Spanish & Chinese), interactive web-tools, and a 3-part video series.

The State of California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) website is rich with resources and updated processes for those seeking help while they are out of a job. For folks who don’t have easy access to the internet, information and support are just a phone call away. There are too many numbers to list here, so we give you the link to the phone number lists at EDD. Also, Legal Aid at Work’s recently updated Work & Family webpages, to describe employee protections such as job-guaranteed leave, paid time off, and accommodations so workers know their rights. They provide a helpline, fact sheets (in English, Spanish & Chinese), interactive web-tools, and a 3-part video series. The Legal Aid Society Employment Law Center operates a Working Families Helpline:
(800) 880-8047 – toll-free in California
(415) 593-0033 – outside California

• Paid Family Leave for when you have to care for a family member and can’t work.
• Paid Family Leave Helpline, with toll-free phone numbers in seven languages plus TTY.

Insurance

• Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides weekly payments to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
• Unemployment Insurance Helpline There are separate telephone numbers for customers who speak English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese or who call using a teletypewriter (TTY).
• Low-Cost Auto Insurance — The State of California provides income eligible, good drivers with access to affordable liability insurance. (866) 602-8861
• Health Coverage — COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) provides eligible individuals with the ability to continue group health insurance benefits during periods of unemployment.
• Covered California – visit California’s health insurance marketplace to explore other options for individuals and families.

Employment Assistance

• Jobs & Training (Workforce Services Branch) for those seeking jobs.
• America’s Job Center of California (searchable by zip code or city).
• CalJOBS, California’s Internet system for linking employer job listings and job seeker résumés.
• America’s Job Center of California (searchable by zip code or city) including Jobs & Training and other information for job-seekers.
• Job Corps (U.S. Department of Labor) is a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a good job. (800) 733-5627
• Hispanic-jobs.com – bilingual jobs for English/Spanish-speaking professionals, from entry level to executive level, nationwide.

Expungements

• NEW! California Courts: Judicial Branch of CA – provides help with expungements and cleaning up criminal records for convictions in the state of California. Find a list of Public Defenders by county here.
• • For federal convictions please see U.S. Federal Guide to Pardon, Expungement and Sealing.

Financial Literacy & Debt Counseling

• Consumer Action features a searchable database of free financial education information, curricula, and teaching aids, in multiple languages, to view online, download, or order hard copies, including Credit Cards: What You Need to Know and Banking Basics.
• National Foundation for Credit Counseling provides debt and credit resources, on-line counseling and budget calculators, as well as a way to find a local Consumer Credit Counseling Service. Downloadable consumer tools are available in English and Spanish, including a Budget Worksheet.
  English: 1-800-388-2227
  Spanish: 1-800-682-9832
• Foreclosure Avoidance Counseling (California) provides contact information for 5 regional offices and 13 city offices that offer free foreclosure prevention counseling services, plus a summary of foreclosure laws.
• California Council on Problem Gambling offers a 24-hour confidential Problem Gambling Helpline:
  1-800-GAMBLER / 1-800-426-2537 plus Screening Tools “for you or someone you love” screening assessment.
• Gam-Anon offers peer support for problem gamblers and the people who care about them.