When people find themselves unemployed they have to face what they will do next. There are millions of seniors who work and may find themselves unemployed. There are others who may have been getting payments from unemployment only to have it come to an end. Knowing what to do and where to go is going to make a difference when it comes to ensuring that basic needs continue to be met.
What seniors do once they find themselves unemployed is going to matter if they are someone who needs the money they were working for. If they have enough money invested and saved to carry them through retirement then they don’t really have to do anything. If they don’t want to work they can simply turn to spending their days as they please, following their own schedule and not worrying about making money. However, that is not the case for everyone.
Many seniors continue to work for one reason or another. Some do so because they need or want to earn the extra money, while others may do so because they don’t want to be bored sitting around at home. If they find themselves without a job, or unemployed, then those that fall in this group may still want to find a way to earn money, and they should and certainly can.
What to Do Following Unemployment
Seniors who find themselves unemployed or through the unemployment system and want to continue working can start taking the steps to get back to work. There are numerous things that seniors can do in order to ensure that they have money coming in each month and that they are able to find a job if they would like to do so.
Unemployed seniors may want to consider if it is time to start collecting on their Social Security. Every legal worker in America pays into the Social Security system, so that one day when they are older they can begin drawing payments from it on a monthly basis. A percentage of money is taken out of their paychecks for years, so that when they are older they can get money back each month.
Seniors who are unemployed and at least 62 years old can begin taking payments from Social Security if they would like to. The Social Security Administration allows people to start taking the funds, typically at age 62, 65, or 70. The age you take it at is going to impact how much you get per month, and the longer you want the higher the monthly amount will be. Seniors who are unemployed and need money will want to weigh this information to determine if it is worth taking the payments earlier, of it makes more sense for them to find another job and wait a few more years before taking the payments. It’s a personal decision and each person has to make that determination.
Opting for More Employment
No matter the reason for finding yourself unemployed or having run out of getting unemployment payments, if you choose to continue working as a senior you can. There are plenty of places that will hire seniors, so you just need to find those places in your area and apply for the jobs.
Start out by having an idea of what type of work you would like to do. Consider a mix of what you are interested in with what you have experience in doing and what type of jobs are open to seniors in your area. You have the ability to apply for jobs to work for someone else, as well as to have your own freelance business, so you create your own employment.
Look and ask around in your community to see what places are hiring that are open to having seniors work there. While most places are not outright discriminative and denying employment to seniors, there may be jobs they feel seniors won’t be able to do. This is going to come down to how well your health is, how well you get around, etc. There are jobs for everyone, so don’t discouraged if you feel there are issues. For example, if you need a cane to walk don’t assume nobody will hire you. Many places won’t mind that, especially if it’s a job where you won’t be walking around, such as sitting at booth selling game tickets.
If you have skills and interest in something you think you could make money doing on your own, then you should think about starting a little freelance business. This allows you to create your own employment and be in charge of your hours and services. For example, many seniors would be great at providing services such as pet sitting, babysitting, baking, sewing, etc. Consider your skills and then create a business accordingly. There are some skills that seniors can excel at offering as a service, such as providing sewing and alteration services to the community.
In Need of Additional Options
Seniors who need to get help after unemployment and are able to find more work can turn to social services programs for assistance. The programs are typically provided by the state and federal government and they will ensure that basic needs are being met. Some of the programs you may want to consider turning to for financial assistance following after unemployment include:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – This program provides those who qualify with the means to purchase groceries each month. There is no limit to how long you can use the program. To get more information and apply, click here.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – This federal agency will help people who have a low income with their housing needs, including to pay for rent, avoid foreclosure, and pay for necessary home repairs. They have an office in every state. To find your state’s office, click here.
When you apply for these programs, they may ask you if you’d like to apply for other helpful programs at the same time. Often times, if you qualify for one you will qualify for numerous.
