Virtual resources and, until further notice, WorkOne Indy center will continue to be available to Indianapolis residents affected by job loss as COVID-19 evolves

Indianapolis – 16 March 2020 – WorkOne Indy is continuing to provide and maintain resources for job seekers as the effects of COVID-19 directly impact Indianapolis workers and job seekers. Due to event cancellations and temporary business closures, it is foreseen that individuals in Marion County could experience permanent or temporary job loss during this time.

These individuals are encouraged to first file for unemployment insurance through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development at https://www.in.gov/dwd/2334.htm. Additional resources to assist affected workers with the unemployment insurance filing process, including information regarding frequently asked questions about payment, benefits, claims and voucher, are available at https://www.in.gov/dwd/3704.htm.

Under the direction of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the WorkOne Indy American Job Center will remain open until further notice. WorkOne Indy will temporarily discontinue community services at embedded locations due to the temporary closure of the Indianapolis Public Library and adult education locations. Individuals accessing WorkOne Indy services in those locations should be redirected to the main office at 4410 N. Shadeland Avenue to access services. 

Due to the need to possibly accommodate more visitors in response to these circumstances, some non-required, onsite workshops may also be offered with less frequency or temporarily suspended in an effort to adjust to staffing levels that may be impacted by this pandemic. Adjustments will be made to adhere to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation to implement restrictions on all non-essential gatherings of more than 50 individuals in Indianapolis. This includes Wednesdays at WorkOne, a weekly job fair at WorkOne Indy, which has been cancelled until further notice.  

Job seekers are still able to utilize the resources provided at WorkOne Indy:

• Job search assistance;
• 1:1 career navigation;
• Publicly available computers;
• Career development tools; and
• Assistance with filing for unemployment benefits.

Individuals currently receiving unemployment insurance, and who have recently received letters requiring them to attend a Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment orientation workshop at WorkOne Indy, are exempt for the next four weeks or through the week of April 17th. These individuals are not required at this time to visit WorkOne Indy.

As dislocated workers navigate their recent financial change, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s office, in partnership with EmployIndy, will offer free, no-strings attached financial counseling available through Pete the Planner. Individuals interested in the service can get started by emailing: recover@nullpetetheplanner.com. 

In addition to seeking in-person support at WorkOne Indy and financial counseling through Pete the Planner, job seekers can access virtual resources, career development tips, and additional information on workoneindy.com. On employindy.org, the Job Board will remain available and be regularly updated by EmployIndy staff for job seekers to use as a tool during their job search process. 

Updates and information regarding the job search process will continue to be shared by EmployIndy in order to keep Marion County job seekers readily informed, including those who have experienced permanent or temporary dislocation due to the economic effects of COVID-19.