I'm only a couple weeks from running out of unemployment and I'm straight-up panicking.

10 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 10,2026 at 5:01PM UTC

   what is your background? Other than your side hustle, what were you doing? What do you want to do?

2. Victoria MikulanFebruary 11,2026 at 5:51PM UTC

   My background is in communications/writing/editing. I've spent a lot of time taking different classes online and also reading to learn. Additionally, I make jewelry and am working on creating an online website to sell that (I already sell at like craft shows)

3. Elizabeth Stiles WestFebruary 10,2026 at 5:09PM UTC

   If you're in the USA, see what aid you are qualified for by calling 211.

4. AnonymousFebruary 10,2026 at 5:54PM UTC

   What have you done? How many years of experience? What educate do you have? What current certifications do you hold?

5. Victoria MikulanFebruary 11,2026 at 5:50PM UTC

   I have a BA in English and a MPA and 12 years experience in writing/editing/communications. My comms experience spans corporate communications and proposal writing. Additionally, I spent four years in tax compliance.

   I also have extensive experience in nonprofit management and fundraising/event planning as a volunteer firefighter. I have a certificate in Google Prompting Essentials and a Poytner ACES Certificate in Editing and am also working on a certificate in Google Digital Marketing and eCommerce.

   I am really hoping NOT to go back into proposal writing. I don't like it, and both times I've been laid off have been as a proposal writer in two totally different industries lol.

6. AnonymousFebruary 10,2026 at 11:51PM UTC

   I ran out of unemployment too. I applied to receive my Social Security. I still have not landed a new job even able-bodied.

   If your income is still below a certain amount, you can apply for SSI (supplemental income).

7. Dr. Patty GrossFebruary 12,2026 at 12:53PM UTC

   Have you applied for Social Security Disability (SSD) or SSI? If your disability limits the type of work you can do or requires difficult accommodations (for example, things that would require construction/remodeling, or excessive time on your feet requiring mobility aids or sitting rather than standing), you should be able to apply for SSD if you worked and paid into the system for 15 years or more. Have you looked into firms that hire for copyediting via gig work? That may not be as stable as you need, but it can help fill the gap until something better comes along and be a side hustle afterwards.

8. AnonymousFebruary 12,2026 at 2:00PM UTC

   Consider being a substitute teacher either with high school students or elementary students... It's not the most highest paying job in the world, but it will keep you floating.In a lot of states are actually offering emergency teacher licenses due to teachers shortages.

9. Lacey HicksFebruary 15,2026 at 2:57PM UTC

   In many states there’s help for people with disabilities to find jobs - on CA it’s Department of Rehab or Regional Center.

10. Dr. Patty GrossFebruary 17,2026 at 3:37PM UTC

    Where I live, it's called the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, but regardless of where you are, most states will have something similar as a subset of the Department of Labor (the same Department that covers Unemployment Benefits).