Work-ready checklist

Housing or rental assistance. Click on "Benefits and Other Assistance" to find public housing agencies in your state. Also select 211.org to connect to local social service agencies.

Food support. Click on "Benefits and Other Assistance" to find your state's nutrition assistance program. For more help, select the link to 211.org.

Medical care. Need help with mental or physical health problems? Click on "Benefits and Other Assistance" and select the link to 211.org. From there you can find contact information for clinics and other providers in your area.

Substance abuse or sobriety issues. Click on "Benefits and Other Assistance" and choose 211.org. From there you can look for community services for alcohol or drug abuse issues.

Legal help. Click on "Legal Assistance" to find links to free or low-cost legal help in your state.

Family reintegration. Click on "Benefits and Other Assistance" and follow the link to 211.org.

Child support. Need help establishing paternity, collecting child support, or modifying a support agreement? Click on "Legal Assistance" and you'll find a link to your state's child support agency.

Find your nearest American Job Center, with free computer use, job search workshops, and job clubs. Search for nearby public libraries; they also offer computer access and job search resources.

Make a daily schedule and practice being ready early for appointments, interviews, and other meetings. In your daily schedule, include enough time for sleeping, meals, chores and other obligations, and job search activities. Visit short-term goals for examples of job search activities to add to your schedule.

 Put together clothes you'll need for interviews and work. Many communities have organizations that help with work clothes, shoes, and more. Visit ReEntry Program Finder to check the list of programs in your area.

Make a plan for transportation to interviews and work. Can you walk or bike to a job? If you take a bus or subway, check the routes to help decide where to look for work. Have a plan to tell employers how you will be able to arrive to work promptly.