“I’m pregnant, and we were terrified that we couldn’t afford health care.” Three women who lost their jobs to the pandemic discuss making ends meet
Photo: H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty Images Statistics show that some jobs are coming back, but the unemployment rate in the U.S. is still more than double what it was before the pandemic hit. In the meantime, those out of work are also running out of money. The additional $600 a week in federal unemployment benefits expired in July, leaving millions without a lifeline.
I was able to file for unemployment, and I was eligible for the most that they pay. So I was one of those people who were making more money than they normally earn. When the restaurant reopened in June, I was scared to go back because I didn’t want to expose my family. A lot of other servers who were older and had health conditions weren’t able to return. But I was also worried that I would lose unemployment benefits if I refused work, because that’s the rule.
I’m off unemployment now, but if I have to go back on it and tap into my savings, that’s what I’m going to do. I have about $2,000 left in savings, and I’m saving half of every paycheck right now. I plan to restart school next year. My program is not ideal to do online, so I’m going to hold off.
I got my first bartending gig the week after I was laid off, and it was a huge relief — like, “Phew, I have something.” My income is obviously not the same as it was before, but I’ve also dramatically cut back on spending. I cook cheaply and I don’t go anywhere. I don’t even have a Metro card anymore because I can walk to work.
This experience has made me realize that what I was so afraid of — losing my job — is something I can actually manage. The unidentifiable terror is gone. And all of that has been really calming. I mostly just feel really grateful for what I have. I worked my way through school, so I don’t have student debt.
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