Bottom Line: A look at the resources available for unemployed workers and their families

The stress of unemployment is indeed a heavy burden. House payments, health insurance, food and basic living expenses all become points of anxiety when there is no paycheck coming in. However, unemployed workers are not alone and should not feel helpless. There are many resources available in San Mateo County to help you get right back into the workforce and relieve some the anxiety of life’s many burdens in the meantime.

Bottom Line: If you lose your job and want to continue receiving health insurance for you and your family, it may be possible though the Federal Government’s COBRA program.

Formed in 1985, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act mandated that people who were previous employed be allowed to continue health coverage under certain criteria.  There are 3 criteria for eligibility for COBRA:

Bottom Line: There are local, free and low-cost health clinics available that offer a variety of services to meet all healthcare needs.

The San Mateo County Medical Center operates several outpatient clinics throughout San Mateo County that specialize in a range of services, such as STD screening and treatment, HIV or AIDS services, pediatrics and urgent care and much more. The San Mateo Medical Center is dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of all residents of San Mateo County, with an emphasis on education and prevention, and without regard for ability to pay. Their Mobile Health Clinic offers convenient medical care for low-income and homeless people and no one is denied service. If you don't have insurance, their Community Health Advocates will help you find affordable healthcare coverage.

Bottom Line: Sequoia Healthcare District is working to meet the needs of a growing community through grants and innovative new programs.A new 2007 agreement between the Sequoia Healthcare District and Catholic Health Care West, gave the community's healthcare programs and services a facelift. Initiatives include upgrading and expanding the capabilities of Sequoia Hospital, the HeartSafe program, community grants, a nursing education partnership, and free medical clinics.

Bottom Line: From COBRA, to private insurance, MediCal and even local clinics, you have healthcare options if you have been laid off.

There are currently 46 million people without health insurance in the United States. That number is continuing to trend upward as people are losing their jobs and their coverage. So, what do you do when you lose your health insurance?

There are several paths you can take. The most commonly known program is COBRA, which mandates that people must be able to retain their insurance coverage for up to 18 months after the end of employment. Under COBRA, the former employee is responsible for paying the entire insurance premium. Most people choose COBRA because it's easy and well-known. You simply complete the form provided by your former employer and pay the cost.

Bottom line: Sonrisas Dental brightened the smiles of over 4,500 patients that might not have otherwise received any dental care which resulted in a 23% decrease in kids coming in with urgent or visible tooth decay.

Julia McKeon created Sonrisas Dental Center out of the need for oral healthcare in southern San Mateo County. From Montera to Pescadero, there are upwards of 7,000 people without access to dental care. Julie knew most of the community consists of nursery, field, or hotel workers whose only option for oral healthcare was a day's worth of travel and missing work, so she created an affordable clinic for oral healthcare and education. In response to her success, the County of San Mateo is providing office space.