Those laid off by employers often have no choice other than finding a new job or starting a business themselves. Until recently, people looking to start their own business did not receive governmental help and could not collect full unemployment benefits. A handful of states offer Self-Employment Assistance Programs (SEAP) which provide basic training on how to draw up a business plan as well as jobless benefits to carry the entrepreneur until the business starts making money. Now, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 will allocate another $35 million for the program. People who may have difficulty finding a new job could create a successful future by using this assistance.

Read full article here: Laid Off? Want to Start a Business? At Last, Uncle Sam Gets a Clue