Displaced workers have more options than just collecting unemployment funds, thanks to West Virginia's Dislocated Worker Services Unit and other state agencies.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Regina Ranson doesn't have a job.
She didn't do anything to lose it. It was taken from her, after the DialAmerica call center in South Charleston closed without warning last month.
"I went from being a top representative to not having a job," she said last week. "I'm trying to keep my head up, but I need a job."
Ranson and other displaced workers have more options than just collecting unemployment, including services from Workforce West Virginia's Dislocated Worker Services Unit and other agencies.
"All of these programs are federally funded," Fred Mixer of Workforce West Virginia's Dislocated Worker Services Unit told DialAmerica employees during a Tuesday meeting. "Don't be too proud. Don't be ashamed to take advantage of anything here."
The number of people who filed unemployment claims in the week ending Aug. 2 hit a six-year high - 455,000, up 7,000 from the previous week - according to figures released by the U.S. Department of Labor last week.
More than 2,000 West Virginians filed new unemployment claims during the week ending July 26. Those claims were up 664 from the prior week, more than all but four other states. Ohio topped the list, with more than 4,600 new initial claims.
The DialAmerica call center had about 160 employees. Just four showed up to Workforce West Virginia meetings on Tuesday.
For displaced workers, filing papers at the unemployment office is just the beginning.
Need affordable health insurance for dependent children? West Virginia's Children's Health Insurance Program can help, said Romona Allen.
Qualifying for the program is based on family size and gross income. A family of two making $1,552 a month before taxes qualifies for a no-copay plan. Families with higher incomes can also qualify, but with co-pays and monthly premiums. On the high end (with a $35 monthly premium payment), a two-person family can make up to $30,800 annually.
For DialAmerica employees, they have health insurance until the end of August and then have an option of a COBRA plan - a plan that continues health benefits after workers lose their jobs - at $450 a month, employees said.
Some displaced workers decide to change careers and are looking to fund education and training. The state's Workforce Investment Board can help, providing up to $4,000 each year for training, said Gary Hannoush of Kanawha County's WIB. The services can be used for up to two years, he said.CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Regina Ranson doesn't have a job.
She didn't do anything to lose it. It was taken from her, after the DialAmerica call center in South Charleston closed without warning last month.
"I went from being a top representative to not having a job," she said last week. "I'm trying to keep my head up, but I need a job."
Ranson and other displaced workers have more options than just collecting unemployment, including services from Workforce West Virginia's Dislocated Worker Services Unit and other agencies.
"All of these programs are federally funded," Fred Mixer of Workforce West Virginia's Dislocated Worker Services Unit told DialAmerica employees during a Tuesday meeting. "Don't be too proud. Don't be ashamed to take advantage of anything here."
The number of people who filed unemployment claims in the week ending Aug. 2 hit a six-year high - 455,000, up 7,000 from the previous week - according to figures released by the U.S. Department of Labor last week.
More than 2,000 West Virginians filed new unemployment claims during the week ending July 26. Those claims were up 664 from the prior week, more than all but four other states. Ohio topped the list, with more than 4,600 new initial claims.
The DialAmerica call center had about 160 employees. Just four showed up to Workforce West Virginia meetings on Tuesday.
For displaced workers, filing papers at the unemployment office is just the beginning.
Need affordable health insurance for dependent children? West Virginia's Children's Health Insurance Program can help, said Romona Allen.Qualifying for the program is based on family size and gross income. A family of two making $1,552 a month before taxes qualifies for a no-copay plan. Families with higher incomes can also qualify, but with co-pays and monthly premiums. On the high end (with a $35 monthly premium payment), a two-person family can make up to $30,800 annually.
For DialAmerica employees, they have health insurance until the end of August and then have an option of a COBRA plan - a plan that continues health benefits after workers lose their jobs - at $450 a month, employees said.
Some displaced workers decide to change careers and are looking to fund education and training. The state's Workforce Investment Board can help, providing up to $4,000 each year for training, said Gary Hannoush of Kanawha County's WIB. The services can be used for up to two years, he said.Displaced workers can apply at one of the seven WIBs in the state, he said.
There is a waiting list for the funds, he said: "But you can look at it as doom and gloom, or you can look at it an opportunity."
Need money for food, car repairs or travel expenses while going to school? The state Department of Health and Human Resources has money available for people who meet income requirements, said DHHR's Vincent Thomas.Maybe a worker has a disability? The state's Division of Rehabilitation Services can help. Or maybe they want to start a business? Check out the West Virginia Small Business Development Center. Need help with managing the growing debt? Contact the non-profit Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Southern West Virginia.Just confused about where to start? Contact Kevin Smith, the project coordinator of the Workforce Investment Labor Liaison Project.Once a displaced manufacturing worker himself, Smith points displaced workers in the right direction.
"I know how it feels to lose one's job," he said. "We are here to help you any way we can. We either know the answer or know where to direct you to get the answer."
Along with Ranson, former DialAmerica manager James Morris and assistant managers Jesse Davis and Karen Bailey attended the meetings Tuesday. All have college degrees and worked at DialAmerica for more than five years each.
Davis is thinking about going back to school to become a teacher and football coach. Morris wants more schooling, too, perhaps to finish a master's degree or become a financial adviser.
All said they're having trouble adjusting to not working. Each was working 50 to 60 hours a week at DialAmerica.
"It is hard to find a job making what I made," Bailey said. "I'm trying to relax and take a vacation, but my mind keeps going, 'I don't have a job. I don't have a job.'"
Where to get help
Workforce West Virginia's Dislocated Worker Services Unit, 112 California Ave., Charleston, (877) 967-5498, www.workforcewv.orgWest Virginia Children's Health Insurance Program, (877) 982-2447, www.wvchip.orgWorkforce Investment Labor Liaison Project, 600 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, 346-7745West Virginia Unemployment Compensation, 1321 Plaza East, Charleston, 558-0291 www.wvbep.org/bep/uc/West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, 558-0684, Capitol Complex, Building 3, Room 206, www.wvdhhr.orgRegion III Workforce Investment Board, 344-5760, 405 Capitol St., Suite 506, www.region3wib-kc.netWest Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services, Charleston District Office, Institute, 766-2634, www.wvdrs.orgConsumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern West Virginia, INC. 1219 Ohio Ave., Dunbar, 281-5969, www.cccswv.comWest Virginia Small Business Development Office, Capitol Complex, Building 6, Room 652, (888) 982-7232, www.sbdcwv.orgReach Sarah K. Winn at sarahkw...@wvgazette.com or 348-5156.
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