Taking Yama’s advice, I decided that this information should be posted somewhere, also to ensure that folks can easily access this info.
Per my previous post, I started an email thread with some of my former colleagues yesterday, the day after we all got laid off, so that we could keep in contact with each other, while also pooling our unemployment resources and knowledge together. Here are some things we’ve done and discussed:
1. File for Unemployment IMMEDIATELY
CA Unemployment Webpage: http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/default.htm
Per batz’s suggestion, it’s important to file for unemployment immediately because it may take a while to process. This takes at least 30 minutes, and wasn’t too difficult to understand/fill out.
Former part-timers: YES, you are eligible for unemployment insurance and you should file ASAP.
One of the questions I got kinda stuck on: Question 33d about the “Wages Earned” for my previous positions. I found my answer here. Since Embark pays out twice a month, I wasn’t sure whether to calculate per week or month. As long as the numbers match, I don’t think it makes a difference.
2. Finding Insurance Coverage
This is different for everyone. So far, it seems like COBRA is extremely expensive for us to afford (I’ve heard that it would be around $300/month for some folks to continue our previous insurance coverage).
One of us was able to find a “temporary” insurance for now with Blue Shield:
Blue Shield was pretty good to me on insurance. I got a plan that has a moderate deductible and high coinsurance BUT allows a few Doctor visits a year for a small copay. Perfect for those without major health ailments in case you want to go to the doctor every so often and be covered in case of an accident. I got Value 900 plan (and the fact that you already HAVE insurance via Embark currently for 2 more days through them could help you get accepted).
Also, regarding paying cash for medical visits:
As for purchasing individual insurance, in my personal experience it actually turns out cheaper to pay cash. Many medical providers have substantial discounts for cash patients.
For instance, [this clinic has] this plan: http://marinermedical.com/vip.htm
There is also this place, although I have never dealt with them: http://www.quickhealth.com/faq.htm
When I was a part-timer, btw, I had insurance with Blue Cross/Shield(?) that was the minimal life insurance that would pay for any emergency hospital fees, but it didn’t include coverage for any doctor visits or medication. That was $62/mo for me, but I’m unsure of the pricing for the plan anymore these days. Also, my dad was able to find this via an agent, so I’m unsure if this is a publicly available plan somewhere.
For the ladies: I was concerned about birth control coverage and someone suggested:
If you go to a free clinic and when filling out the paperwork you just have to indicate that you would like to keep your files confidential and so you would qualify for Health Access Program card. Basically this would cover your prescription costs since the state would pay for it all.
Also regarding birth control coverage: I was talking to another friend regarding birthcontrol coverage, and she reminded me about Planned Parenthood: http://www.plannedparenthood.org. Planned Parenthood is all about providing services to uninsured folks, or at lower prices. (I think I’m gonna find general insurance coverage, and then go to Planned Parenthood for the extra stuff.)
Edit (02/02/09): It is BEST to apply for new insurance so that there are no breaks in-between; applying for continuous insurance coverage may be key to even getting the coverage. Per Scott’s comment below:
If you have any long term conditions that you may need treatment for in the future (and have received treatment for in the past) you should NEVER allow any gaps in insurance. i.e. do not rely on paying cash for medical visits.
If you are ever uninsured for a period however brief, when you apply for insurance in the future, the insurance companies are able to label some things as pre-existing conditions, meaning they will not cover them. They cannot do that if you have continuous coverage.
3. Figuring Out the Severance Package
(Former Part-Timers: we did not get severance packages)
I’ve read this all over the place, and this seems to be one of those huge things to really consider and think through before signing anything.
If you have not seen a separation agreement before, I urge you to read it carefully. There are important rights you are giving up if you sign it. It is very beneficial to Embark for you to sign, thus you should be properly compensated for that. You have 21 days by law to consider your agreement and 7 days AFTER you sign it to re-consider.
A bunch of folks are pooling resources together to visit a labor attorney to help navigate through the separation/severance packages. Former colleagues, if you’re interested in joining us, PLEASE let us know. It will cost a nominal amount if we’re a group.
* Article: Employment Separation Agreements: Should I Take the Bribe to Sign My Employment Separation Agreement?
4. Saving Money
To try to save/make some money, I’ve been researching which have the best interest rate return and found this site: http://www.mymoneyblog.com/online-savings-accounts-and-comparisons
I’m planning to open a savings account with ETRADE for their current 3.01% APY rate, plus they seem to have pretty good reviews. As advised by former colleague:
I use etrade for my savings. Great rate, total liquidity, thumbs up. Only downer is if you need money fast, it takes a few days to transfer out of etrade to your bank (which could be helpful actually for impulsive shopping trips or drunk nights). – so you need to plan ahead of time when you need the money.
Response from another:
Another high interest bank is INGDirect.com – been using them for checking, savings, AND my mortgage… been very happy with their service and rates. They don’t beat ETRADE’s current saving’s account rate though – but have no minimums – and if you’re looking for a high interest checking account, you can’t go wrong with them.
Let me know if anyone’s interested and I can send you a referral email – you’ll get $25 for free for opening an account of at least $250 and I’ll score $10 for referring you.
BTW – having internet banks, while great for interest rates, is not that practical – especially if you need to write out checks (ing only has echecks) or make a bank deposit. I still keep a local free bank account open to work with them for deposits at times that I just later move into my higher interest rate internet bank via their website.
This was helpful for me in deciding.
5. Finding a Job
NETWORK!
* Here’s my LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/estellatse If you’re not sure what LinkedIn is, I recommend it–it’s like a social network site but with your resume, connecting to people you’ve worked with before. People can write recommendations for you there, and it’s otherwise a good resource to see if you know people who know people in places you want to work at.
* Find job fairs in your area – Anyone have a link I can provide here?
* Going to school? Try checking the student center to see if there’s any employment opportunities there that are right for you.
Edit (02/02/09): Sites I learned about from the She’s Geeky event on 01/31/09:
* http://novaworks.org/ — might be geared more towards the Silicon Valley area. Some lady at the session kept stressing this site.
* http://www.indeed.com/ — this apparently searches for results on all the Craigslist, Monster, etc etc. sites AND on the companies’ own job pages. This sounded skeptical to me, that a job search engine would be able to pick up the content from the employers’ sites. It seems like it does (or it just links to their jobs pages). Either way, doesn’t hurt to help searching on this, imo.
* http://startuply.com/ — directory of startup companies, if this is where you want to be.
(More of my commentary about what to do while you’re job-hunting per my comment below: VOLUNTEER!)
6. Interesting and Links I Found Useful
* What to do if you are laid off…
* Got Laid Off? What To Do When You Lose Your Job
* Laid-Off 101: What to do once you’ve been handed a pink slip
* Jobs in a Recession Survey Results 1: Recent Hires Got Jobs Via Referral from Friends, Colleagues, Alumni, or Family
* New Legislative Efforts to Aid Unemployed Californians
Events:
* She’s Geeky: http://shesgeeky.org/
January 30-31, 2009 in Mountain View
Check the website to find out more info about this. Geeky tech women! w00t!
* Peninsula Job Fair – (Gov’t Jobs?) http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/gov/1011802508.html
February 3, 2009: 10am – 3pm
Please see link for more info.
* LaidOffCampSF: http://laidoffcamp.com/
Tue, March 3 in SF
LaidOffCampSF is like BarCamp, where basically a bunch of people get together and talk and gather together to talk about topics/sessions that are created that morning. It’s like a day-conference where the attendees create the agenda and topics that they want for the day.
Phew! Hopefully I was able to capture most everything we discussed in the thread. PLEASE continue the thread via comments here–I think it would be helpful not just for us, but for any visitors during this downtime to use this info too. (Also, this is easier than adding people to the email thread, kakaka)
If comment thread goes well, I’ll keep the above updated!
Goodluck and THANKS everyone for all your help! <3
