Employment

COBRA Health Insurance Continuation: How to Keep Your Coverage After Job Loss or Divorce

Losing a job is bad enough. Losing your health insurance on top of it can feel like getting kicked while you are already down. That is exactly the nightmare COBRA is designed to prevent. COBRA is not a grant or a subsidy.

Amount: Varies; participants pay full premium plus up to 2% administrative fee Deadline: Generally 60 days to elect coverage after notice Location: United States

Federal Bonding Program – Free Fidelity Bonds for Hard-to-Place Job Seekers

Free fidelity bonds (insurance policies) that protect employers against employee theft, fraud, or dishonesty for hard-to-place job seekers including people with criminal records, individuals in recovery from substance abuse, welfare recipients, and others who face barriers to employment. Bonds eliminate a major hiring barrier by removing employer risk at no cost to the job seeker or employer.

Type: Benefit Amount: Free fidelity bond coverage of $5,000 to $25,000 for the first 6 months of employment Deadline: Rolling Location: United States

Federal Leave Benefit Guide: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) — Up to 12 Weeks of Job Protected Unpaid Leave (26 Weeks for Military Caregivers)

If life throws you a baby, a broken bone, or a family crisis involving the military, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is the federal safety net that says: take the time you need without losing your job.

Amount: Up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave (26 weeks for military caregiver leave) Deadline: Dec 31, 2025 Location: United States

IRS Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

Federal tax credit for employers that hire individuals from targeted groups facing barriers to employment. Available for hires who begin work on or before December 31, 2025.

Type: Tax Credit Amount: Up to $9,600 per eligible new hire depending on target group, wages, and hours worked Deadline: Complete IRS Form 8850 on or before the day a job offer is made; submit to the state workforce agency within 28 days of the employee’s start date Location: United States

Refugee Resettlement Program – Cash, Medical, and Social Services for Refugees

Comprehensive resettlement assistance for refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Special Immigrant Visa holders, and certified trafficking victims including cash assistance, medical screening and coverage, employment services, English language training, case management, and social adjustment support through a nationwide network of resettlement agencies and state programs.

Type: Benefit Amount: One-time $2,375 resettlement grant plus up to $1,225/month cash assistance Deadline: Rolling Location: United States

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Federally funded part-time job training and community service employment for low-income adults age 55 and older. Participants earn minimum wage or higher while training at nonprofit and government host agencies, gaining skills and experience to transition into unsubsidized employment. The program serves approximately 40,000 older Americans annually through a nationwide network of grantees.

Type: Benefit Amount: Part-time paid community service positions at minimum wage or higher (typically 20 hours per … Deadline: Rolling Location: United States

SSA Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)

A customized savings and expense plan that lets SSI recipients set aside income and resources for work goals without reducing their monthly cash benefit.

Type: Benefit Amount: Varies: protects hundreds to thousands of dollars per month when approved work expenses are set … Deadline: Open year-round Location: United States

State Unemployment Insurance

Weekly cash benefits for eligible workers who lose jobs through no fault of their own.

Type: Benefit Amount: Varies by state; typically 40-60% of prior wages up to state maximum (often $300-$900 weekly) Deadline: Varies by state Location: United States

State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services

Free career services for people with physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory disabilities through a nationwide network of state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Services include career counseling, job training, education assistance, assistive technology, job placement, and ongoing support—all at no cost to eligible individuals.

Type: Benefit Amount: Comprehensive employment services at no cost Deadline: Rolling Location: United States

Ticket to Work 2025: Try Working Without Losing Benefits

A complete guide to the SSA Ticket to Work program for 2025, including new Trial Work Period limits, SGA thresholds, and how to keep your Medicare.

Type: Benefit Amount: Free Career Support + Benefit Protection Deadline: Ongoing Location: United States