Apparently the nation’s financial difficulties made this program tough to keep up. I do not know the whole story, but I’m very sorry to see it go.

Paycheck Guardian - the private unemployment and financial protection plan - is for sale in the US for consumers. However, the product must go through a strict approval process by the state regulatory boards and the companies that underwrite it.

 I am publishing the latest list below, but keep in mind, more states can be approved at any time. The system WILL NOT accept applications for unapproved states, so just starting the enrollment process is a good way to check.

These states are NOT active with Paycheck Guardian at this time:

AK, CT, CO, KY, MA, MN, MT, NH, NY, RI, VT, WA, WV

Learn More About Paycheck Guardian Layoff Protection

Since I have been answering phone calls and emails about Paycheck Guardian - The private supplemental layoff protection plan - I thought I would use this space to answer some of the most common questions from consumers. These are questions that come from people all over the US who are concerned about their jobs.

The biggest question is about the 4 month actively at work clause - This means that a member must be at work for 4 months from the time they enroll until the time they are terminated. There is no way around this, and this period is more generous than any of the similar plans I have looked at.

When you buy different types of insurance, they underwrite you. For instance, your premium (and even acceptance) for car insurance will depend upon your age, driving history, the type of car you drive and many other factors. Look at Car Insurance Quotes if you are interested.

But when you buy a guaranteed acceptance product, they use a waiting period instead of qualifying applicants by risk factors. The waiting period and actively at work period here is 4 months.

How To Quote and Enroll in Paycheck Guardian - Simply visit the webiste, and choose one of the plans - bronze, silver, or gold - and click Get Quotes. You will be directed to a page with an “enroll” link. You can simply follow that link to begin enrolling online.

After you enroll, if you have completed it, you will get a verification email. It will take 10 days to 2 weeks to get your membership packet in the mail which will give you the details about the plan. You do have 30 days to cancel your membership with a full refund. After that, you can cancel at any time, but you will not get previous months of payments refunded.

Paycheck Guardian << Visit the website with this link!

What Plans Are Available? The only plans available are the ones on the official website. Right now, there is a bronze, silver, and gold plan. There is a fixed price for these plans which is the same all over the US. Like any other information that you see on the internet, this could change. Always refer to the official website for information about layoff protection.

Who Else Provides Layoff Protection? Not many companies do in the US, even though the product has been in other countries (UK) for a while. I have found some information on similar products at CSI DIRECT and BPAL LAYOFF - but I do not know much about them. I am not saying they are the only plans in the US. I just do not know anything about others. If other plans exist, they seem to keep a low profile. I am only providing links to other layoff protection plans because I get asked about it, and so I am writing all I know right here.

It is up to you to do research and make the best decision for yourself, and your family. Good luck!

For many American workers, it is not about avoiding an unemployment period. No, it is all about surviing a layoff! Experts weigh in, and here are some of the top tips for you to consider.

• Layoffs are almost never the employees fault, so you must get over that thought! Most of the time, workers get laid off because there were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Please do not waste time too much time analyzing reasons you got laid off. Just pick yourself up, and move on.You will also need emotional support during this trying time. Do not neglect your family and friends, and this is a great time to have people over for an affordable pot luck meal with TV movies!
• Examine your income and expenses. How long can you survive without a paycheck?If you have an emergency fund stashed away, good for you! Your challenge will be to list and prioritize your bills. What needs to get paid on time, and what can be delayed. Also decide what you can do without. It is no fund to lower your standard of living, but perhaps gym memberships and dining out can be deferred for a few months.If you have no emergency fund, join the crowd. This is a good time to, not only evaluate your bills, but also figure out how you can raise some cash to pay the highest priority bills, like your mortgage, food, and utilities, until you can make an income again. We have some ideas at Simple Work!
• Can you keep your health insurance plan? Look into options for unemployment health insurance plans because this is no time to neglect your medical needs. You may have the option of accepting a COBRA extension, or you may need to look into COBRA health insurance alternatives.
• What do you need to get another job?If you are still at work, make sure you keep all of your contact information someplace where you won’t get locked out if you do lose your job. Your network of business associates and friends are the best place to get a job, and not the huge anonomous job boards.

  Would a little bit of job training make it easier to find a job? Consider a computer or writing class to increase your skills. And even though you may want a permanant job, a temp. job can have some great benefits. For one thing, temp jobs often lead to real job offers! What better way to show an employer and coworkers that you are a great employee than by showing them?

  Even if the job really is temporary, you may develop a variety of skills, and it will look good that you were making a good use of your time, even if you had to accept underemployment.  If your field does not lend itself to temporary jobs, you may be surprised by the variety of freelance jobs you can find! In fact, many people started freelancing during unemployment, and they liked it so much, they forgot to seek a real job!

Paycheck Guardian is an affordable membership plan that offers an unemployment benefit to US employees in most states. The plan requires a 4 month “actively at work” period to be completed from the effective date of the policy until termination. In general, a member can qualify for layoff protection if they would qualify for state unemployment benefits, and the benefits are paid in addition to any state unemployment payments.

Paycheck Guardian Updates

As of November 18, 2008, new enrollees will find the plan has been updated. There are now $750, $1,000, and $1,500 levels. Disability and Death benfits have also been added. It is very important for you to view the Paycheck Guardian website for more information.

Members will also still have access to the important legal and credit protection benefits that the previous Paycheck Guardian plan provided.

Update: We found another Paycheck Guardian Review Here.

Affordable Dental Care For Tough Times

If you have lost your dental benefits because of unemployment or a company benefit cutback, or if you never had a dental plan, you are probably concerned about dental care! We hear a lot on the news about Americans who lack health insurance, but recent statistics show that about twice as many Americans lack dental insurance!

Many of us need a low cost dental program.

Discount dental plans provide access to a huge network of dentists and other dental care providers who agree to keep their prices in check, and also to offer many routine services for free, or at a greatly reduced rates. Make sure you can afford your routine checkups and cleanings, and also other routine dental care. But also manage the costs of larger services with discount orthodontics, dentures, and crowns.

Use the handy zip code lookup here: Find Discount Dental!

Compare Health Insurance Plans with Safe, Fast, and Free Online Forms <<< Visit Here!

COBRA makes many employers, especially larger ones, extend group health plans to terminated employees for several months. However, the employers do not have to pay for the plan, and it can be hard to afford without an income. In some circumstances, especially if a covered person is pregnant or ill, it is worth it to pay for the extension if possible.

A short term medical plan may work out very well, especially if the unemployed person is sure they will go back to another job with a group medical plan, and if the covered people are fairly healthy.

An individual major medical insurance plan may be cheaper than the COBRA benefit payment. Individual health insurance policies are underwritted for each applicant, and since the company may cherry pick who they will insure, they can offer lower rates.

You can compare the best health plans that are available in your area with an online quote form. Filling it out only takes a few minutes, and will allow you to shop for the best health plan for your own family.

Prepare For Unemployment Anyway!

 You prepare for the that chance you may wreck your car with good car insurance, and when you do ding up the family vehicle, you are probably glad you did. So why wouldn’t you consider the chance, especially in these uncertain times, that you could lose your income?

 Do You Save For a Rainy Day?

Of course, savings that can pay bills for 4 - 6 months are great! If you can afford your life, even without an income, you will be in a better position to look for another great opportunity. You may also be qualified for state unemployment benefits, and they will help some, though you probably won’t be able to collect an amount that is close to your current salary.

Private Unemployment Plans

You can also find layoff protection plans that provide cash benefits for unemployed people. The rules to qualify are very similar to those for state unemployment benefits, but the private cash payment is over and above any other money you collect.  A mortgage unemployment plan can protect your family against the most common reason for mortgage defaults, and that is a loss of income!

Protect Your Network

Also think about the friends and business contacts you have at your job. If you are locked out of your office and computer system, can you still contact them? Is there information that belongs to you that is stored at work, and that information could be technical books, business contact lists, or even the emails or your best buddies, so be sure to get a copy saved at home!