Help For Hard Times

Unemployment, even temporary, is an extremely difficult experience.  Knowing where to turn and how to take control of your situation can help reduce the impact on you and your family.  These are some tips for help in hard times.

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*NEW INFORMATION
The Department of Labor recently added new information regarding the COBRA premium assistance provision that was included in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).  As you may remember from the ARRA health webcast, the federal government will pay 65% of the monthly COBRA premium for employees who became eligible for COBRA during the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009 due to an involuntary termination of employment that occurred during that time. 

Click the following link for additional information: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/COBRA.html 

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Getting Started:  Explore your unemployment benefits and options- some may be time sensitive.

Unemployment Benefits
Texas Workfore Commission:   Like many states across the nation, the Texas Workforce Commission is experiencing a high call volume.  You can apply for benefits online at the link below: http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/uiclaim.html

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers from the Texas Workforce Commission on how to apply for benefits,  click on the following link: https://services.twc.state.tx.us/UBS/changeLocale.do?language=en&country=US&page=/afbfaq.doLocal Texas Workforce Office Locations:  
Corpus Christi
Phone Number:  (361) 882-7491
Fax Number:  (361) 883-7846
Physical Address:520 N STAPLES ST
Corpus Christi, TX 78401-2414

Corpus Christi
Phone Number:  (361) 882-7491
Fax Number: (361) 906-1804
Physical Address:5858 S PADRE ISLAND DR
Corpus Christi, TX  78412

1. Prepare a household budget:  make sure it is realistic and allows for basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care.  Be sure to include anticipated expenses such as quarterly insurance premiums and holiday spending.
2. List your assets
3. Set priorities:  If your income does not cover all of your bills, be sure to pay the following first and in this order:   1) Rent  2) Utilities  3) Food   4) Transportation 
4. Make a list of creditors
5. Notify your creditors and stay in touch: Protect yourself by notifiying your mortgage holder or your landlord, your utility providers and any creditor
6. Pay what you can: **Important Tip**  Don't ignore your mail!  Ignoring government agency inquiries or creditor requests for information may make things worse.  If you don't understand notices or bills sent to you, call the person who sent the bill.
7. Stop credit purchases
8. Reduce household expenses: Cancel unnecessary purchases/services.  This includes cable TV, magazine subscriptions, etc.
9. Sell what you don't need: If you need income for living expenses, consider selling items such as extra cars, motorcycles, collectibles, garage sale items, etc.
10. Check into other financial resources

• State of Texas Health Insurance Options: http://www.texashealthoptions.com/cp/unemployed.html
  
• Children's Health Insurance:  http://www.chipmedicaid.com/english/index.htm
  
• E- Health Insurance http://www.ehealthinsurance.com
  
•   FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Card:  To download and print a discount drug card, click here.    For a list of participating Coastal Bend Pharmacies, click here.
  
• Pfizer Helpful Answers Prescription Medications:  Click here for details.

Credit  Counseling
Credit counseling is available at the following United Way funded partner agency: Consumer Credit Counseling Service of South Texas
1706 S. Padre Island Dr., Corpus Christi TX 78416
(361) 854-4357 - (800) 333-4357

Foreclosure Prevention
The Homeownership Preservation Foundation HOPE Hotline can assist homeowners before a foreclosure.   HOPE Hotline:  1-888-995-HOPE or www.995hope.org

Local Food Pantries
Abundant Life Church 9550 Leopard St. (at Rand Morgan) 241-4460
All Saints Episcopal Church 3026 S. Staples 855-6294
Bishop Community Center 301-B West Main St. 584-3280
Brooks AME Worship Center, 2101 North Port Avenue, Corpus Christi TX 884-5109
Catholic Charities1322 Comanche, Corpus Christi, 361-884-0651
Christian Care Center 3875 S. Staples 853-1868
Christian Family Center 3303 Navajo @ Mohawk 510-1815
Church of Acts 3811 Carroll Lane 852-3551
Community Presbyterian Church 129 S. Alister, Port Aransas 749-4506
Dorcas Food Pantry 6645 Downey 510-0419
Dorothy Day Catholic Worker House of Corpus Christi 210 S. Carrizo St. Corpus Christi, TX 888-8467
El Pan Diario 3126 Gollihar 855-2501
First Baptist Church 3115 Ocean Dr. 888-8228
First Baptist Church, Bishop 311 E. 5th St. 584-3546
Gateway Christian Center 925 Naval Air Station Dr. 937-5494
Kelsey Memorial Methodist 1610 Comanche 882-9533
Metro Ministries. Loaves & Fishes, 1919 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78469 887-0151
Metropolitan Community Church - Dale Locher Food Pantry, 501 S. Staples, Corpus Christi, TX 882-8255
Most Precious Blood Church 3502 Saratoga 854-3800
Nueces County Community Action 883-7201
Nueces County Dept. of Human Services103 N. 6th St.
Our Lady of Pilar 1101 Bloomington 852-6327
Robstown, TX 78380 (361) 767-2731
Seventh Day Adventis Church 2217 Sarita 334-2273
Solid Rock 3035 Ayers 887-6465
SS. Cyril & Methodius Catholic 5013 Hakel 853-7371
St. Anthony’s Social Service 117 E. Main Robstown 387-3467
St. John Baptist 5445 Greenwood
St. John’s United Methodist 5300 S. Alameda 991-4342
St. Joseph Church 710 19th St. 882-7912
St. Patrick’s Church 3350 S. Alameda 855-7392
St. Peter Prince of the Apostle 3901 Violet 241-3249
Timon’s Ministries 10501 SPID 939-9533
Wesley Community Center 4015 McArthur 880-8300
Wesley Community Center-Robstown 414 Matiana Ortiz 387-1451

Union Members
If you are a union member, additional resources may be available to you.  Contact your steward or union office.