Laid-Off?

 

If you've been laid off, there are a number of local and state resources available to help you through this rough time. Start here if you're seeking information related to re-employment and training and other financial, health, and community resources available right here in South Central Wisconsin.

 

 

Register for a WorkSmart Orientation Session

If you've been laid-off and need help, we recommend that you attend a WorkSmart (WIA) orientation session. During the session, you'll learn about the resources and help available to get you back into the workforce.

The WorkSmart session is your first step toward information on:

 

Orientation sessions are free and are available to South Central Wisconsin residents (of Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Marquette, and Sauk counties) who are unemployed, underemployed, or have recently been laid off from their jobs.

 

Register online for a WorkSmart orientation session today. Register Now | Registration Instructions

 

 

Get Re-employment Help

 

Stop by your local Job Center.

Job Centers, also called "One Stop Career Centers," can help you manage the transition from unemployment to employment and start you on the road to your next career. They are regional centers that provide a variety of employment and community services to people looking for work. Each Center brings together multiple organizations to help you, including State of Wisconsin Job Service, Wisconsin Works (W-2), rehabilitation services, veterans' services, job training programs, technical colleges, and more.

 

Help starts with a visit. Find a Job Center nearest you to get started.

 

Search for jobs at JobCenterofWisconsin.com

You can use Job Center of Wisconsin, a no-cost online source for creating résumés, connecting with employers, and finding jobs in Wisconsin. Find other useful employment resources and tools in our job search section.

 

 

 

 

 

Explore resources available in South Central Wisconsin

 

We've compiled a collection of local and relevant resources that can help you through job transition. Find help on job searching, unemployment insurance, financial counseling and assistance, healthcare options, and other community and workforce agencies available throughout the region.   Download our Surviving A Layoff Resource Guide to learn more.

 

 

 

 

Apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits

 

Unemployment Insurance (UI) is an employer-paid insurance program that helps workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. It provides temporary financial help to qualified individuals while they are looking for other work. Unemployment benefits are not meant to replace your previous wages. Information regarding benefit eligibility is available online at http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/UIBEN/ or by calling 1-800-494-4944.

 

How to Apply for UI Benefits

Apply for unemployment insurance benefits online at: http://www.ucclaim-wi.org or by calling 1-800-822-5246. To apply, you will need:

 

Contact UI Staff

The Wisconsin UI Benefits Staff can experience a high call volume and workload. If you are attempting to initiate or complete an application for benefits or contact UI for other reasons, please be patient and try using their online service. Claim Specialists are available by phone at 1-800-822-5246: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM and Saturday 7:30 AM – Noon. 

 

*Note: Information and hours are subject to change. Please refer to the UI website (http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/) for the most current information.

 

 

 

 

 

Obtain Health Insurance

It's important to recognize that losing your job can add to the amount of stress in your life and can impact both your physical and mental health. Take the time to focus on your health and well-being during this transition and consider these resources:

 

ACCESS Wisconsin is your online guide to Wisconsin programs for health, nutrition, and child care. The website provides a easy way for people who live in Wisconsin to find out if they might be able to get:

 

HealthCare.gov is an online source developed by the U.S. government to help you explore which private insurance plans, public programs and community services are available to you.

 

Coverage For All is a health care resource guide developed by the Foundation for Health Coverage Education. It includes listings of both private and public sponsored health care programs and contacts available in your area.

 

COBRA Continuation Coverage may be available to you if your employer continues to operate and offer a group health plan. COBRA, which generally applies to employers with 20 or more employees, allows the individual and his/her family to continue the same group health coverage at group rates. An individual’s cost for coverage may be higher than what the individual was paying before (and is usually higher than the cost for coverage under special enrollment in a spouse’s plan), but generally the cost is lower than that for private, individual health insurance coverage.

 

Employmee Benefits Security Administration is committed to providing participant and compliance assistance regarding pension, health and other employee benefit plans.If you have questions about your health benefits rights, call the Employee Benefits Security Administration office near you at 1-866-444-EBSA (3272).

 

 

 

 

 

Community Information and Assistance

 

Wisconsin 211

Dial 2-1-1 to locate information on health and human services that exists in your community. Wisconsin 211 information and referral services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the year. Information can be provided in over 90 different languages.

 

Community Resources and Information by County

Dane County - www.countyofdane.com

Dodge County - www.co.dodge.wi.us

Jefferson County - www.co.jefferson.wi.us

Marquette County - www.co.marquette.wi.us