If you have already exhausted the 26 weeks of regular benefits that each state provides for the unemployed, there is still the 20-33 weeks of additional federal funded emergency benefits and in some cases another 13 weeks to 20 weeks of extended benefits.  So, depending on your state, there could be as much as 79 weeks of total unemployment benefits available to you.  You will want to check with your state for eligibility and specific unemployment benefit information (i.e. Department of Labor).

General Unemployment Insurance Benefit Breakdown

Program                                           Weeks
Regular Benefits                                   26
Emergency Unemployment Comp     20 to 33
Extended Benefits Program              13 to 20
Total Benefits                                  59 to 79

What Else Can I Do?

Sell Certain Possession that you can live without
I’m sure there’s a stereo, bicycle, video camera or other material possession that you do not need to live with.  We can guarantee you that Unlike Hard Cash, these items will only decrease in value over time so it makes sense to get rid of them now.

Pay Medical Insurance With IRA/401K Funds Without Penalty
One of the exceptions to being charged the 10% early withdrawal penalty of 401K/IRA funds is when you, spouse, or dependent losses their job and you use those funds to pay for your or their medical expenses.  Refer to our Article, “Can I Withdraw From a SEP-IRA or Tax Deferred Annuity?“  Please note that the 10% penalty is ONLY waived if you are using the funds for medical expenses, not for other expenses (i.e. household).

Utilize Online Resources
There are a lot of online resources out there that allow users to make extra cash on their own time without having to deal with the hassles of travel. Investigate participating in paid online surveys, freelance online writing, advertising (promoting websites), & other freelance work.  These options are available to you.

Monetize Your Hobby – Become Entrepreneurial
Perhaps you are a good golf player, you enjoy gardening, art or working out.  You can monetize on these hobbies by developing a business on a small scale that is instructional.  Market the product/service by word of mouth through your personal & professional networks.  Some of the online social networking sites such as Linkedin have user groups that you can join to really help get the word out about your new product/service.

Blood Plasma Donations
Anther option which may be difficult for some is blood plasma donations.  You can earn a little extra cash and also help someone else out.

Stimulus Package – Unemployment Benefits
For Details of what the stimulus package (American Recovery Act) offers the unemployed, please refer to our article, “Recently Laidoff?  The Stimulus Package Offers Some Hope.”