You've been furloughed: what to expect now

If you are like me, and millions of other Americans in 2020, you've been furloughed from your job. What does it mean to be furloughed in the US? Essentially, you are notified by your employer and you are no longer being paid a salary. The company considers you an employee taking an involuntary leave of absence. If/when they are able to bring you back as a paid employee, they will let you know.

As well, you may loose your health insurance, which means you will be looking for health insurance options through Cobra or possibly your spouse's policy. It can be quite a shock to the system to learn you are no longer earning an income or insured. The US furlough system differs from other countries. For example, in the UK, once you are furloughed from your job, the government comes in and pays you up to 80 percent of your salary or ￡2,500 per month. In the US, you file with the Department of Labor within your state. Currently, the wait time in Georgia is eight weeks, meaning you will not receive your first unemployment payment for approximately eight weeks after filing.

All Department of Labor offices are closed to in-person filing, so you will be filing online. If you are like many Americans, you'll find the website overwhelmed with traffic, and it may take you a day or two to access and apply. You will need the separation notice provided to you by your employer to complete the application. Not going to lie, the website is very confusing! You will need to complete all of the information, and submit. After a few days you will receive an email from the DOL with your application number. Follow the instructions to the letter, from faxing your separation notice (if you don't have a fax, visit your local grocery store or UPS store and have them to fax it for you). You will be asked to supply a list of weekly jobs you are pursuing. You'll find a web link on the weekly DOL check-in; fill in the required information for every job to which you applied that week. Realizing the market may not be hiring, this looks and feels like a formality. But it's worth doing so that you do not miss any opportunity to receive your unemployment. After two weeks you will receive a letter offering you to "appeal." It does not mention a decision or the appeal stance, it just refers to your income of last year. I had a hard time understanding the letter, but have learned from others that this is a government standard, and that unemployment insurance should come approximately six weeks from receiving the letter.

What kind of income can you expect on unemployment?

In Georgia, you will make $349 a week before 16 percent taxes are applied. You can opt out of paying the state and federal taxes and claim the full $349, or you can choose to have those taxes taken out. Currently, the benefits will last for 26 weeks, roughly six months. Until the end of July you will also qualify for the federal Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program (FPUC), which provides an additional $600 per week. In total, you are looking at a weekly payment (before taxes) of $949. However, keep in mind it will take approximately two months to get your unemployment, and they will deposit all the backed-up weekly payments at once. So you could receive $7592.00 at once, when your application has completed and your payments have are all paid.

Avoid touching that savings account. Congrats on saving for a rainy day. But things are likely to get worse before they get better, so take additional steps to secure your good credit without burning through your savings.

Sure you have a mortgage, or rent, possibly investment properties. You likely have credit cards, utilities and taxes to pay. Call every company you owe money to right away! Explain you have been furloughed. Most mortgage companies are allowing a deferment from two to three months, allowing you to catch your breath without ruining your credit. For me, I was able to get my mortgage and credit cards deferred for three months. This made a huge difference in my peace of mind.

Get a part-time job. You can legally make up to $300 a week and still collect unemployment. When I found out I was furloughed, I approached my husband's restaurant group about developing training and on-boarding for the new world of Covid-19. My goal was to create training material for an ethical, confident and safe reopening for their dining rooms and patios. While they loved the idea, and allowed me to begin creating those plans, they had a much bigger problem. They had received the PPP loan, and while they kept many of their locations, they had trouble finding people to work. My husband shared with me those concerns and immediately I volunteered to help them on what the needed most: someone to come in and support the front of the house. A week into my new part-time job, I am working three days a week and loving every minute of it. Sure, they attract the best customers. They serve high-quality food with a strong ethical mission on sourcing the best from local farmers. What I was so impressed by is the company culture. It's a real pleasure to work, and to serve, with these incredibly fine folks. It also has given me a fresh insight on the road ahead for restaurants opening across the county. The restaurant, as it turns out, is like a family; and I am so happy to support them, as restaurants need us now more than ever.

Invest in yourself now. For me, I have been wanting to take some instructional design courses to further my career in training and development. They are expensive and something I put off. When I was furloughed, I decided those excuses did not work anymore. If you are creative, and spend much of your time completing projects -- or if you are supportive, and spend time helping others -- you don't always get the time to fill yourself back up. This is really important; take the time to fill your own cup. Not only will you feel more productive, but additional education will allow you to remain competitive when the marketplace begins to churn once again.

Volunteer. You have some free time now. You may not realize it, but non-profits, arts and historical societies, and other organizations in your community could use your help. Start making phone calls to local groups you are interested in and see how you can lend a helping hand. Make sure you don't over-commit; offer the time you have. For me, it's volunteering at our local historical society. Getting the museum clean and fresh, running errands. Offering support and encouragement. Within your community you will make new connections and friends and share a common interest that will be very rewarding to you.

Connect with friends. For the first week of being furloughed I avoided friends and relatives reaching out. I was ashamed I guess, and did not want pity. It turns out, everyone understood. And they did not have any pity for me. Just encouragement to stay strong. They check-in with me every few days, and we have some great conversations on value, worth and what the world looks like while your career is on pause. I love my mom's neighbors and friends, who are insightful and fun, and enjoy a good patio cocktail. Do not close out your friends and neighbors. Fight that instinct. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Thirty-five million Americans are in the same boat. Connect. Have virtual parties. Have in-person get togethers. Whatever you are comfortable with. Don't isolate.

It's time to create that career wish list. Even though your company has explained they'd love to keep you, you have to pursue job opportunities to maintain your unemployment. This means looking at industries and jobs in a whole new light. For me, I am creating a wish list of my ideal career and job. What kind of company I want to work for. Who I want to work for, The company values and company culture. What kind of management style do they have? While I am investing in myself, I find that I am planning to come out of this stronger, healthier and excited about working for a company that shares the same values I have. Perhaps that means staying in the same organization, or possibly moving on. Whatever it is, I want to spend my time wisely, and make sure that my career weathers the storm.

My name is Hannah Thompson. I live in Jackson, Georgia with my husband, 3 chickens, 3 cats and 2 adorable dogs. I garden our acre "hobby farm" and intend to enjoy this precious gift called life.

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