| Affordable health insurance for the unemployed may | | | | within your budget. They can last anywhere from six |
| feel impossible to find, but as long as you know | | | | to 12 months, so they're perfect for individuals who |
| where to look and have determination it is within | | | | are actively seeking employment or another form of |
| your reach. Actually, self-employed individuals and | | | | affordable health insurance. |
| individuals who are employed but aren't offered | | | | The third step to finding affordable health insurance |
| employer-sponsored group health insurance can | | | | for the unemployed is to contact your state's |
| benefit from the much of the same advice. | | | | department of insurance and request information |
| The first step to finding affordable health insurance | | | | about subsidiaries for which you're eligible. Most |
| for the unemployed is to find out if you're eligible for | | | | states provide some form of free or low-cost health |
| COBRA. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget | | | | coverage for residents who meet certain income |
| Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) made it possible | | | | requirements. Some states even have special |
| for individuals who are terminated, laid off, or | | | | low-cost health insurance plans for people who can't |
| transferring jobs to temporarily continue to receive | | | | otherwise obtain health insurance. At the very least, |
| group health insurance benefits. So, if you've just | | | | you should find a free or low-cost health coverage |
| recently become unemployed for any of those | | | | program that will provide health care for your |
| reasons, referred to as "qualifying events," contact | | | | children, or assistance with special health care needs |
| your former employer for more information about | | | | (i.e. diabetes, mental health, female health check-ups |
| your COBRA benefits. | | | | and conditions, etc.) |
| The second step to finding affordable health | | | | A change in your employment status doesn't mean a |
| insurance for the unemployed is to check into | | | | change in your health needs. It may take some |
| purchasing short-term health insurance. Short-term | | | | footwork, but it's possible to find affordable health |
| health insurance policies are designed with the | | | | insurance for the unemployed. |
| unemployed person in mind, so rates are most likely | | | | |