Health options for the unemployed

LOS ANGELES While the jobless numbers go up, the numbers in their bank accounts go down. Money expert and author /*Liz Pulliam Weston*/ says with no income, the jobless often turn to their credit cards. But, she adds, don't raid your retirement funds if you can help it.

Another, perhaps bigger, problem when you're out of work is your health insurance.

So what are your options? /*COBRA coverage*/ is one, but most Americans don't know that qualifying depends on your previous insurance status, and it can be very expensive.

You still need to pay for the coverage so you need to strategize your finances. Figure out exactly what income you might be entitled to, such as:

• Unemployment compensation
• Income from spouse
• Interest from saving accounts
• Union assistance
• Dividends from investments
• Income tax refunds including your stimulus check if you didn't receive one last year.

And one place you can use to search for high-deductible health plans is over the Internet.

MORE L.A. BREAKING NEWS, WEATHER, TRAFFIC, SPORTS

USEFUL LINKS:
SEND TIP || REPORT TYPO || TWEET @abc7 ||  WIDGET