Modest Needs: Underemployed/Unemployed Part 2

Yesterday we discussed ways to get past the hurdle of unemployment and getting your hours cutback. But what if you start falling short when it comes to covering your basic needs? It's bad enough when you can't get a mani/pedi but what about when you can't pay your car insurance?

If you are unemployed and meet their financial criteria, you may be eligible to apply for an unemployment bridge grant. Unlike a loan, a bridge grant is money given to you that you do not have to pay back. The money is granted through Modest Needs and must be used to cover certain designated expenses. The grant recipient must be unemployed through no fault of their own. They also must not have found a job yet or be receiving unemployment benefits at the time.

The grant is directly remitted to the creditor to pay for emergency expenses such as health insurance, auto repairs, housing payments and child care. The maximum amount of a Modest Needs grant is $1,000, hence the name Modest Needs.

Other grants offered by Modest Needs include independent living grants, back-to-work grants and self-sufficiency grants. To apply, you must have ongoing access to a computer so you can keep track of your grant apps. You might also need to use a scanner to send certain portions of the grant application.

While Modest Needs won't pay for those hot new jeans and shoes, it will help you keep your shirt on your back until you find another fabulous job.