Help for Hard Times

RESOURCES TO SURVIVE THE FIRST MONTH OF UMEMPLOYMENT

WHO TO CALL FOR EMERGENCY

If it’s a life-threatening emergency, always call 911.

North Sound 2-1-1

2-1-1 is the free, easy-to-remember telephone number

that’s your best “first call” to quickly find the right source

of help. The central information line is staffed by trained

operators who can connect you to a wide range of community services. This United Way supported program is run by the

Volunteers of America Western Washington.

Dial 2-1-1 to connect to resources. Trained specialists answer

your call and maintain a comprehensive database of health,

welfare and recreation resources such as:

Rent/Utility Assistance
Food
Legal Assistance
Shelter
Support Groups, and more

The North Sound 2-1-1 line is open

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 425.258.4227 or 800.223.8145
TTY: 425.339.3301 or 1.800.846.8517

CARE Crisis Response Line

24-hour crisis intervention counseling, suicide intervention

and access to mental health emergency services for individuals and families in Snohomish, Skagit, San Juan, Island and Whatcom Counties. This program is run by the Volunteers of America Western Washington.

Phone: 425.258.4357 or 800.584.3578
TTY: 800.846.8517

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO FIND HELP

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

Unemployment Compensation
Phone: 800.318.6022 or 877.558.8509

or apply online at www.go2ui.com

EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS & JOB TRAINING

Worksource Northwest

A joint venture of employment and training organizations

dedicated to dressing businesses need for workers and job

seekers success in obtaining family-wage jobs. The WorkSource Career Center is a one-stop access point for job opportunities, occupational skill training, career exploration, job search training, and many other services.

Phone: 360.676.1521

www.worksourcenorthwest.com

State Worker Retraining Program

The State Worker Retraining Program has served more than

60,000 unemployed and dislocated workers in Washington to

retrain into new career fields. Funds can help pay for tuition,

books, fees and other related expenses for individuals who lost their jobs due to economic changes and for those receiving Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. Working Retraining also serves displaced homemakers and recently discharged veterans.

Bellingham Technical College

Phone: 360.752.8492
http://www.btc.ctc.edu/StuServices/WorkerRetraining /WorkerRetraining.asp

Whatcom Community College

Contact: Brian J. Davidson
Worker Retraining Coordinator
Phone: 360.383.3057
bdavidson@whatcom.ctc.edu

http://www.whatcom.ctc.edu/content/ArchivesItem_204_234

Statewide Training Opportunities

Matrix of professional-technical programs

or

List of worker retraining contacts

FINANCIAL HELP

Whatcom County Love INC (In the name of Christ)

Provides a self-help program designed to help people find

their way out of financial difficulties and into a debt-free

way of living.

Phone: 360.671.6201

www.whatcomloveinc.org

Whatcom Financial Services

Provides a service in which they receive your monthly

checks, maintain accounts, and disburse funds to meet your monthly living expenses.

Phone: 360.676.1848

email: wfservices@comcast.net

RENT ASSISTANCE

Salvation Army

Rent payment assistance for Whatcom County residents

facing an eviction.

Phone: 360.733.1410

http://www.usw.salvationarmy.org

Opportunity Council

Eviction prevention and deposit assistance. Please call

for specific eligibility quidelines.

Phone: 360.734.5121 x370

http://www.oppco.org

UTILITY ASSISTANCE

The Opportunity Council

Program helps eligible households pay heating and energy expenses.

Phone: 360.255.2192

http://www.oppco.org

Salvation Army

The energy assistance program runs from January-May, however, residents with a medical emergency who are in danger of getting the utilities shut off, can call for help anytime of the year.

Phone: 360.733.1410

http://www.usw.salvationarmy.org

FOOD ASSISTANCE

Call 2-1-1 for the closest food bank.

Bellingham Food Bank

Food distribution Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12:30-3:00 and Wednesday 5:00-7:00.

Phone: (360) 676-0392

http://www.bellinghamfoodbank.org

Basic Food Benefits

For more information or to apply online, visit http://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/TEC/

and click on "apply for services."

Phone: 877.514.FOOD For help completing an application call Opportunity Council at 360.734.5121

Whatcom County Health Department

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program

Phone: 360.676.6724

http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/health/nutrition/index.jsp

MEDICAL & DENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Medical Assistance Benefits

For more information or to apply online, visit

http://www.dshs.wa.gov

and click on "apply for services."

Interfaith Community Health Center

Community clinic that provides medical, dental, and behavioral health care services.

Phone: 360.734.2983 or 360.676.6177

http://www.interfaithchc.org/

Sea Mar Community Health Center

Provides low-cost comprehensive medical, dental, substance abuse, and mental health services to underserved and low-income people. Bellingham and Everson Sites

Phone: 360.671.3225

http://seamar.org

Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access

WAHA provides impartial information and assistance to individuals seeking health insurance and access to healthcare in Whatcom County.

Phone: 360.788.6594

http://www.whatcomalliance.org

EMERGENCY SHELTER ASSISTANCE

Call 2-1-1 for information on locations and hours.

MENTAL HEALTH

COUNSELING/SUPPORT

Call 2-1-1 for support groups.

CARE Crisis Response Line

24-hour crisis intervention counseling, suicide intervention and access to mental health emergency services for individuals and families in Snohomish, Skagit, San Juan, Island and Whatcom Counties. This program is run by the Volunteers of America Western Washington.

Phone: 800.584.3578

TTY: 800.846.8517

Alcohol & Drug Helpline

Phone: 800.562.1240

Domestic Violence Hotline

Phone: 360.715.1563 or 877.715.1563

VETERAN'S ASSISTANCE

WorkSource Northwest

Employment Related Assistance for veterans.

Phone: 360.676.1521

http://www.worksourcenorthwest.com/

DAV Transportation Network

Transportation to medical care for veterans who have no other form of transportation available

Phone: 360.322.2200

Vietnam Veterans of America #165

Vet Center Claims assistance, mental health counseling for combat veterans.

Phone: 360.733.9226

Veterans Relief Fund and Service Office

VA claims, family benefits, rent, utilities, food, medical

Phone: 360.676.6700

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE

Opportunity Council

Child Care Resource and Referral

Phone: 360.734.5121 ext 227

http://www.oppco.org

Working Connections Child Care

For more information or to apply online,

visit http://www.dshs.wa.gov

and click on "apply for services.

FAMILY CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE

Northwest Regional Council

Respite Care

Phone: 360.676.6749

http://www.nwrcwa.org/

THANKSGIVING & CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE

Salvation Army
Low Income Food Baskets & Gift Assistance
Applications taken at:
2912 Northwest Avenue
Bellingham, WA
Monday - Friday, November 2-20, 2009
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Phone: 360.733.1410
For more information, click here.

Due to limited resources, the Salvation Army has a three-year limit. If you have been assisted for three years with the Salvation Army, you will have to find other resources. The Salvation Army would also like clients to have a referral from one of the agencies they are working with.

What you need to bring:

1. Identification and Social Security Card, or medical card.

2. Last three months income verification for the whole household: paycheck stubs, DSHS award letters, SSI award letters or a letter from your employer.

3. Identification for all other members of the household. You will need Social Security Cards, Medical Cards, or Birth Certificates.

4. Two pieces of address verification: Current utility bills, rent receipts or current rental agreement; and a phone number.

5. Salvation Army only provides gifts for children ages 0-14. Please know their interests and sizes of clothing and have the list with you when you come. (Example Kenny, age 6, Book-Power Rangers, Coat size 8, Pants size 6, shirt size Med or 6-8, Shoes size 2). Salvation Army will not take information on items over $25.

Take Charge of Your Finances

1. Prepare a household budget

2. List assets

3. Set priorities

4. Make a list of creditors

5. Notify your creditors

6. Pay what you can

7. Stay in touch with creditors

8. Stop credit purchases

9. Reduce household expenses

10. Sell what you don’t need

11. Check into other financial resources

Important:
Don’t Ignore Your Mail!

Ignoring government agency inquiries or creditor requests for information may make things worse. If you don’t understand notices or bills sent to you, call the person who sent the bill.

Get the Help You Need... You’ve Earned It

You help pay for public programs through your taxes and for community services through contributions to United Way and other organizations. Now your money can work for you. Help comes from an array of services ranging from support such as individual or family counseling to practical support like help with finances.

We all need a little help at some time in our lives. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for the help you need. You paid for it. You earned it.

Getting Through It Together

Your spouse and children can feel helpless. Talk to your family and plan together to deal with problems. It helps to give each member of the family some positive steps they can take to help. By sharing the burden and pulling together, families can grow closer.

Things to do

First, explore your unemployment and WorkSource options and benefits. Some may be time sensitive. Then, stay busy.

If you’re temporarily out of work, keep yourself occupied. This is a good time to do all the things you’ve been putting off: fix the faucets, give your car a tune-up, clean out the garage, visit friends and relatives or take a community class.

Check your local newspaper for a list of activities, many of which are free. You can also check with your local recreation department, city or county website, library, community center or college.

Volunteering is a particularly rewarding way to use your time, even for a short period.