The announcement of the loss of 1,100 jobs at the International Paper Mill can be described as nothing less than devastating. While there is no easy or immediate solution to cover a loss of this magnitude, my office is here to support your community by providing resources and tools that are available to assist individuals, families, and businesses.
I have developed this special website to put relevant and helpful information at your fingertips. Below you will find information on unemployment assistance, employment training, federal job resources, eligibility for medical assistance programs, loan programs, and more.
Beginning Thursday October 29, 2009, my Senior District Representative, Mr. Rick Franklin, will be holding special office hours in Franklin weekly for affected residents from Franklin City, Isle of Wight County, Southampton County and other surrounding localities. The office hours will be held at 10:00 every Thursday morning in the 2nd Floor Conference Room in the City Manager’s office in the Franklin Municipal Building at 207 W. Second Ave. The hours will be expanded as needed. Constituents can also contact Rick in my Emporia District Office for assistance with any matter involving the federal government:
Mr. Rick Franklin
Senior District Field Representative
425 H. South Main St.
Emporia, VA 23847
(434) 634-5575
To access resources specifically for small businesses impacted by the IP closure, click here. To have updates on these resources sent directly to your email account, click here. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Immediate Financial Assistance
Unemployment Insurance
US Department of Labor/Virginia Employment Commission
The Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.
FAQs on Unemployment Insurance
Office of Congressman Randy Forbes
Answers to commonly-asked questions about unemployment insurance such as requirements, application process, amount, and duration of benefits.
Trade Adjustment Assistance
US Department of Labor
The TAA program helps workers who have lost their jobs as a result of foreign trade. The TAA program offers a variety of benefits and services to eligible workers, including job training, income support, job search and relocation allowances, a tax credit to help pay the costs of health insurance, and a wage supplement to certain reemployed trade-affected workers 50 years of age and older.
In response to Congressman Forbes' request for expedited consideration of TAA applications from International Paper, the Department of Labor has approved federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for employees who lost their jobs as a result of the International Paper mill closure. Read more here.
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Healthcare and Retirement Benefit Resources
Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA)
US Department of Labor
COBRA coverage affords workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan at least 18 months in certain circumstances such as involuntary job loss. Since your employer is not required to pay a portion of your premium, you may pay the entire amount, but the cost is usually less than if you obtained coverage on your own
An Employee's Guide to Health Benefits Under COBRA
US Department of Labor
A guide to COBRA benefits and consumer rights while you receiving COBRA continuation coverage.
Retirement and Health Care Coverage Questions and Answers For Dislocated Workers
US Department of Labor
Review important questions and answers regarding retirement and health care coverage for dislocated workers.
Virginia Medical Assistance Programs
Virginia Department of Social Services
Learn more about eligibility requirements for Virginia’s two medical assistance programs: the Medicaid Program and the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan (FAMIS).
Virginia Community Health Centers
Virginia Health Care Foundation
Community Health Centers provide health care, prescription medications and wellness outreach to Virginians across the state. Find affordable primary health care near you.
Information on the Health Coverage Tax Credit
Internal Revenue Service
Learn about a federal tax credit that enables eligible individuals to pay only 20% of qualified health insurance premiums for themselves and their family members.
What You Should Know About Your Retirement Plan
Department of Labor
Guidance on issues involving employer-sponsored retirement plans including information on considerations upon termination of employment.
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Job Listing Resources
Upcoming Virginia Job Fairs
Virginia Employment Commission
Career Opportunities with the Federal Government
Office of Personnel Management
Career Opportunities with the Virginia State Government
Commonwealth of Virginia
Virginia Workforce Connection Job Listings
Virginia Workforce Connection
Private Sector Job Banks
US Department of Labor, Career One Stop
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Education and Training Opportunities
Career One Stop
US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Research skills and education required for different career fields and identify local training and education opportunities.
Skills Assessment Test
US Department of Labor
Use these free online resources to assess your skills and where those skills would be most applicable.
Resources for Returning to School
US Department of Education
Review standardized test requirements, financial aid options, and other considerations when making the decision to pursue additional education.
Small Business Assistance & Training
Business.gov
Explore training and education tools related to starting your own business compiled by the 22 Federal government agencies the run the Business.gov portal.
Worker Re-employment
US Department of Labor, Career One Stop
Review options for training and education including classes, short-term training, beginning or finishing a degree, and pay for training programs.
VWC Education Services
Virginia Workforce Connection
Learn about education services available in Virginia such as training providers and schools, education program completers, financial aid for training, and online learning resources.
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Employment Resources for Veterans
Veterans Employment Services in Virginia
Virginia Employment Commission
Learn about job referral, job training and job placement assistance for veterans available at the state level.
Federal Business, Education, and Career Veterans Benefits
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Explore unique opportunities for veterans such as education benefits, business coaching, and government contracting.
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Housing Resources
Avoiding Foreclosure
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Educate yourself on important strategies to avoid foreclosure.
Virginia Foreclosure Counseling
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Access free help to avoid foreclosure through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in Virginia.
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Consumer Protection
Job Hunting Scams
Federal Trade Commission
Educate yourself on scams that target job-seekers.
Business Opportunities Fraud
Federal Trade Commission
Protect against fraudulent business opportunity promoters that use the classifieds and the Internet to tout all kinds of offers, from pay phone and vending machine routes to work-at-home businesses like medical billing and envelope stuffing.
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Financial Planning/Budgeting
Creating a Job Loss Action Plan
US Department of Labor
Review this document for tips on developing an action plan for managing your finances in light of a job loss.
Job Loss Check-List
Federal Trade Commission
Review this job loss checklist for strategies to make your budget work during a time of job transition.
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Key Contacts
Office of Congressman Randy Forbes
US Congress
Your resource for assisting with any matter before the federal government:
Mr. Rick Franklin
Senior District Field Representative
425 H. South Main St.
Emporia, VA 23847
(434) 634-5575
Beginning Thursday October 29, 2009, my Senior District Representative, Mr. Rick Franklin, will be holding special office hours in Franklin weekly for affected residents from the City of Frankin, Isle of Wight, Southampton County and other surrounding localities. The office hours will be held at 10:00 every Thursday morning in the 2nd Floor Conference Room in the City Manager’s office in the Franklin Municipal Building at 207 W. Second Ave. The hours will be expanded as needed. Constituents can also contact Rick in my Emporia District Office or other staff in my Chesapeake or Colonial Heights offices.
One-Stop Career Centers
US Department of Labor
One-Stop Career Centers is the ability to provide services to businesses seeking skilled workers, employment assistance to individuals and workforce and economic information services to all customers.
Workforce Development Center - Paul D. Camp Community College
100 North College Drive, Room 222
Franklin, VA 23851
757-569-6082 or 757-569-6081
Rapid Response Services For Laid Off Workers
US Department of Labor
Rapid Response teams provide assistance obtaining unemployment insurance, information on health insurance options, access to skills upgrading and training resources, and much more.
To have updates on these resources sent directly to your email account, click here.
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