By Chrissy Alspaugh, The Republic
calspaugh@therepublic.com
Former Enkei America Inc. machinist Richard Keck joined the unemployed recently.
"I know we've got to keep our heads up; it could be worse," he said. "It's hard right now to imagine how."
Keck is unsure how he'll pay for rent, groceries, child support and insurance for himself and his three sons - with his first unemployment check three weeks away, at best.
He said his position was guaranteed to resume in mid-February.
"But how far does that put me behind on my bills?" Keck said. "I'm going to have to find another job, but there just isn't anything right now."
Laid off: What's next?
Marc Lotter, communications director with Indiana Department of Workforce Development, said Keck made the right decision in immediately filing online for unemployment benefits.
Lotter said 96 percent of qualifying unemployed Hoosiers begin receiving benefits within 21 days of applying.
After completing the application, he said individuals should contact their local WorkOne office, a free service that helps Hoosiers with unemployment benefits, continuing education and more. The agency helps people with everything from resumes and job searches to completing their GED or entering an associate degree program.
Keck said he always has worked hard - and has found the need to navigate the unemployment system as a shock.
Anne Dolan, director of First Call for Help 211, said, "People who are used to working, who have always been able to provide for themselves and their families, especially have a hard time knowing where to turn."
Dolan said every unemployed worker's situation is unique, and her office confidentially counsels individuals on assistance they could receive. Programs help people pay for utilities, groceries, prescriptions, counseling and more.
She recommends creating a list of all household expenses before calling First Call For Help, to explore as many assistance programs as possible.
In a new direction
Keck scours newspaper classifieds daily in search of openings. He's also checking with local staffing agencies.
Chris Berry, branch manager at Manpower, encourages individuals seeking employment to work with as many staffing agencies as possible to be exposed to more opportunities.
Berry said her office, which helps place short-term to permanent employees, recently has seen "a definite increase" in individuals seeking employment. Manpower connects those it cannot place with other employment resources and job training.
Sue Smith, executive director of Ivy Tech Tech Community College Columbus' Workforce and Economic Development department, said, "Getting laid off is an opportunity to sort of reinvent yourself."
Her department offers open enrollment classes for professional development, online courses, training programs and certification testing.
Some funding is available for the unemployed, she said.
Ivy Tech's Career Services office also offers unemployed assistance, starting with a free career assessment and career planning counseling.
Career Services Director Brenda Hotopp encourages individuals to pursue education during their unemployment, whether learning basic computer skills or brushing up in other areas.
She also recommends perseverance in the job search.
"We're seeing so many distraught people, and rightly so, but don't give up," Hotopp said.
"Eventually things will turn around."