Casey O'Brien

covid-19

Has the Driving Test Changed Forever? Here are the Strange Things Some States are Now Doing To Help People Get Licenses During the Pandemic

A masked figure shouts instructions from six feet away as a car works its way around a closed course. Is this the new normal for getting a driver’s license in the US? There are over 227 million licensed drivers [https://www.statista.com/statistics/198029/total-number-of-us-

covid-19

Tips For Extending your Health Insurance Benefits Even If Your Work Situation Has Changed

With millions out of work and the unemployment rate at nearly 15% as of May, [https://www.forbes.com/sites/shaharziv/2020/05/10/dont-be-fooled-by-official-unemployment-rate-of-147-the-real-figure-is-even-scarier/#c6f2ca155ddd] many people are losing not only their income, but their

dmv

Everything You Need to Know About The California DMV's Brand New Website

Long before the coronavirus, Californians couldn't always get what they needed from the DMV, with long wait times and few appointments. We founded Skip [https://helloskip.com/?ref=CADMVBlog] (formerly YoGov) to help people get their DMV questions answered — and have expanded to help people get their government-

financial

How to Recession (and Pandemic)-Proof Your Credit Cards

As we covered yesterday, the United States has officially been declared in a recession. [https://helloskip.com/blog/what-is-a-recession-and-what-does-it-mean-for-your-finances/] And of course, we've been dealing with the economic impacts of COVID-19 for months. As we navigate

What is a Recession, and What Does it Mean for Your Finances?

Although the US economy has been struggling for months due to the coronavirus, it was not until Monday of this week [https://www.nber.org/cycles/june2020.html] that the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)  officially declared that the United States is in a recession. So what does that

covid-19

Doctor's Orders: How to Stay As Safe As Possible as You Return to Work Amidst COVID-19

As regions around the country have begun to lift restrictions for more and more businesses and companies, Americans  who have been working from home or furloughed are returning en masse to their workspaces. But COVID-19 is far from over, with a second wave of cases wreaking havoc in 21

covid-19

Is a "Coronavirus Surcharge" the New Normal?

Businesses around the country are beginning to slowly reopen, from restaurants to barber shops, after months of closure. But the impacts of the virus are far from over — with 75% of companies reporting supply chain disruptions [https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/349229], not to mention  the price tag of sanitation,

financial

The Best Ways to Keep Your Finances in Great Shape, However You've Been Impacted by COVID-19

Whether you're working from home, working less hours, working more hours or not working at all, it is important for all of us to be proactive about our finances during difficult times (like a global pandemic). That's why we teamed  with Freya Kuka, successful finance blogger

financial

The Top Financial Mistakes People are Making During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Although cites and states around the country are slowly emerging from stay at home and shelter in place orders and allowing businesses to reopen, many are still facing tighter budgets right now than they have in years, especially young people and recent graduates, who are entering an incredibly difficult job

How to Fight For Racial Justice From Home

As thousands take to the streets to fight for  justice for Black Americans,  Skip is committed to giving you the resources that you need to learn about these issues and take action, even if protesting is not possible or if you'd rather be at home. We are rounding

Take Action to Decrease Police Violence in Your City

As the US and the world fight for justice for Black Americans, we're committed to taking action. It's important for us at Skip to support organizations and individuals fighting for racial justice and against systemic racism. Although it is difficult to track the exact number of

covid-19

Need a Job? Think About Applying for A Role in the Unemployment Office

With unemployment still at a record high, federal unemployment bonuses set to expire soon [https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/02/heres-what-could-replace-that-600-in-extra-unemployment-benefits.html] , and millions more jobs expected to be lost in  June, [https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/economy/

covid-19

If Your City is Under Curfew, Here's What You Need to Know

As protesters around the country call for justice for George Floyd, who was killed by Minneapolis police officers on May 25th, many cities have enacted curfews in response to looting  and rioting.  Although curfew orders vary slightly in terms of hours  and severity, most of them have similarities. At Skip

covid-19

How to Get the Most Out of Telehealth Appointments and When to See a Doctor IRL

In the midst of this challenging week, Skip is committed to sharing the information  our users need to stay safe. We know that as curfews and protests continue across the nation in the wake of the killing George Floyd, as well as spikes in coronavirus cases, it might be challenging

covid-19

Alternatives to Layoffs to Consider if Your Revenue is Down Right Now

If you're a business manager facing revenue loss and tight margins right now, you're not alone. Millions of small businesses around the country are struggling to stay afloat through the pandemic, and even now that some states are opening up some have had to lay off

Trying to Beef Up Your Resume in Quarantine? The Skills Renewal Act Might Come in Handy

US lawmakers are scrambling to meet the needs of jobless Americans, as unemployment claims have now surpassed 40 million [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/28/business/unemployment-stock-market-coronavirus.html] . Although there are many proposals being floated, including  the Heroes' Act [https://helloskip.com/blog/your-guide-

covid-19

How to Get An Antibody Test for COVID-19 (and Who Needs One)

Most Americans are now aware that if they show symptoms of coronavirus, such as a fever, difficulty breathing, or a lack of taste or smell, they can get tested to know if they have been infected. But what if you were sick before, but didn't have the chance

covid-19

How to Track Your Stimulus Check with USPS

Although millions of Americans have received their stimulus checks, there are many more waiting. If you are one of them, you're probably wondering when you can expect your Economic Impact Payment in your mailbox. You can check the status of your payment with the IRS, [https://www.irs.

covid-19

Why Some People Are Receiving Their Stimulus Checks via Debit Card, and How to Use Them

Most Americans are receiving their much-awaited stimulus checks, also known as "economic impact payments", via mail and direct deposit, but there's actually one other way the money is arriving in people's hands: debit cards [https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1012]. The

Finance Cleanout: Tidy Up Your Financial Records in Quarantine

Although all fifty states are now open to some degree, most Americans are still largely staying home [https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/national/map-us-still-staying-home-coronavirus/] .  If you're spending more time in your house these days, now is a great time to get some

Bipartisan Senators Push for Extended PPP Spending Period

Millions of small business owners all over the country have received small business loans from the Paycheck Protection Program to help cover expenses, payroll and more.  But one of the requirements has proven difficult as the country struggles to contain the virus and reopen safely--the PPP loans have to

If you get offered a job while on unemployment and don't take it, you could lose your benefits--unless you meet one of these requirements

One of the requirements for being on unemployment insurance in most cases is that if you are offered "suitable" employment [https://www.edd.ca.gov/uibdg/Suitable_Work_SW_5.htm]--a job relatively similar to the one you lost--you have to take it, or risk losing

What You Need to Know About Coronavirus Assistance and Your Taxes

May 21 Update on PPP Loan Forgiveness: You may be receiving government aid for the first time right now, whether it's your stimulus check, the PPP, PUA, or just regular unemployment. People around the country are wondering how all these new forms of government aid will impact their

The Ultimate Breakdown of Unemployment Applications, State by State

Unemployment is at an all-time high in the United States. Over the last 8 weeks, 36.5 million [https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/14/unemployment-jobless-claims-coronavirus/] Americans have applied for unemployment.  But job losses aren't hitting the entire country equally,  so here at

Free Resources to Build Your Resume Right Now

With unemployment at levels not seen since the Great Depression [https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa/7126468804.html], many Americans are struggling to find work, especially recent graduates. With millions of high school and college students graduating (virtually) this month and next, young people all over the country are struggling