Unemployment, Workers' Compensation and Related Help

A range of assistance is available for workers who lose their jobs.

Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment Insurance (UI) is the main pillar of support for unemployed workers. UI benefit payments are critically important in maintaining family income, reducing poverty and alleviating economic hardship, particularly during periods of long-term unemployment. UI benefits assume a larger role during periods of long-term unemployment.

During recent years, the number of workers facing long-term unemployment and unable to find work before exhausting their benefit payments has been at an all-time high. Yet, the Bush administration and Republican congressional leaders have refused to offer unemployment help to jobless workers until public pressure or worsening economic conditions move them to act.

Unemployment insurance has been a critical safety net for the nation's workers and the national economy. It helps workers weather tough times and provides a cost-effective boost to the economy during downturns. America's workers deserve expanded unemployment insurance that covers all jobless workers and provides adequate benefits for them.

The federal-state unemployment insurance program pays benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed so they can meet their financial needs.

• State unemployment office.
• Disaster unemployment help.

Workers’ Compensation

Workers' compensation provides income and medical benefits for workers who are injured or become sick because of their jobs. Death benefits may be provided to surviving spouses and dependent children of workers who are killed on the job.

• Find your state workers’ compensation office.
• Get information for federal workers.
• What to do if you are hurt on the job.
• More resources from the AFL-CIO.

Employment Help

The U.S. Department of Labor recommends turning to “One-Stop Centers,” a part of the workforce investment system that provides a range of free services such as career assessment and counseling and job-training access.

Connect with One-Stop Centers for employment help.

Social Security Survivors' Benefits

Call the Social Security Administration any time at 800-772-1213 (TTY for the deaf: 1-800-325-0778). Service representatives are available at those numbers from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the workweek.

Learn More

To learn more, visit the AFL-CIO's resources for unemployed workers.

Also check out Laid Off & Left Out, an initiative of the National Employment Law Project, which provides resources for workers and communities hard hit by the economy.