Monday, October 18, 2010

United Way of the Plains is taking calls Oct. 18 - 22 to set up appointments for the Laid-Off Workers Center’s November session. To set up an appointment, individuals must call United Way’s information number by dialing 2‑1‑1 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (this is a toll-free number). The deadline to call for an appointment for the November session is Friday, Oct. 22. The center will be open on a monthly basis as needed beyond November.

To qualify for help through the Laid-Off Workers Center, laid-off workers must:

· Pre-register to set up an appointment by calling United Way’s information number 2-1-1;

· Have been laid off and approved for unemployment compensation sometime since October 1, 2008 (not fired, quit, or on medical leave);

· Show that they have emergency financial needs and have insufficient personal resources to adequately provide food, clothing and/or shelter; and

· Have been laid off from a job in Sedgwick, Butler or Sumner counties, or lived in those counties at the time of the layoff, between Oct. 1, 2008, and the present.

Services at the Laid-Off Workers Center include:

· Emergency financial assistance for those who qualify (mortgage/rent, electric, gas and water). Checks will be written directly to the lender, landlord or utility company.

· Budget and debt management counseling

· Help applying for government programs

· Job training and job search assistance

· Continuing education information

· Food assistance

· Community volunteering information

· On-site child care services during the appointment