CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- One third of the workforce is age 50 or older, and the American Association of Retired Persons said the current business shutdowns and layoffs have taken a heavy toll on this demographic.Nearly five million workers 55 and older work in retail or food service – two areas hit early and hard by COVID-19 precautions. With concerns that older workers may be discouraged or might not know where to start when it comes to trying to get a job, once COVID-19 precautions are lifted, the AARP Foundation is offering some advice.
AARP Foundation said it takes older workers longer to get hired than their younger counterparts, and in the current situation, Emily Allen, Senior Vice President of Programs at AARP Foundation, said if an older worker is concerned about their safety upon reentering the workplace after COVID-19 – it’s a valid concern.
"At the same time, I think you can begin to think about talking to your doctor about your reentry into the workforce and what you may need to do to protect yourself, particularly if that financial income, that income generation is critically important," she said.
Allen said older works may be struggling not only with the bills, but also job-identity issues. She said now is the time to think about the career you’ve had, where you can go now, and start laying the groundwork.
Allen also said one of the messages they want to get across about unemployment benefits is, "some older adults may think 'oh well I am just going to take a step out of the workforce and won't even apply,' when in fact they need to apply - one, to be counted in the numbers, and two, it represents a financial buffer that may help them as they look to get reemployed. And the other part is, they can take advantage of the economic stimulus, you may know it as the CARES Act, which actually provides 13 weeks of additional umployment benefits on top of their state benefits, which typically run out around 26 weeks."
Plus, Allen said, you can get an additional $600 per week, on top of that state benefit. She said that’s set to run out on July 30 of this year, but any buffer helps as you look for work again.
Allen said for more information on trying to get back into the workforce, you can visit aarpfoundation.org.