We’re helping people understand and apply for government benefits

A record 6 million Americans will file for unemployment in 2 weeks. Our new tool helps people understand government benefits.

Everyone needs to step up in this unprecedented time. Ladder has built a Benefits Portal at LadderPortal.com to help people understand unemployment benefits, paid sick leave, calculate their stimulus check, and more. It’s interactive, free, private, and walks you through step-by-step.

This is a moment of crisis

A record 3.3 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, and another 3.5 million Americans are expected to file this week. State offices are overwhelmed— more than a quarter of states assign specific times of day to apply! — leaving countless people confused or unable.

Despite these record highs, millions more don’t know they’re eligible. With the new stimulus bill (CARES Act) signed into law, benefits have changed a lot in the past few days alone. For example, unemployment benefits are now available for gig economy workers and freelancers. Most people are confused about how the bill affects them:

• Is everyone getting $1,200 from the government? How will the government give it to me? Am I able to get more since I have kids?
• If I get sick or have symptoms of COVID-19, can I still get paid? What if I get laid off? What if I need to take care of a loved one?
• How much will my unemployment check be? Are there differences between states? Can I make more money while unemployed than working?

What we’ve built

We responded to this incredible need as fast as we could and built Ladder’s Benefits Portal. It’s online at LadderPortal.com.

This is not a marketing scheme — to help the public, our team donated hundreds of hours researching and compiling information on the new bill & how unemployment options are changing for Americans. We’re aiming to help Americans increase their income however they can.

Our portal is the most comprehensive resource on the Internet:

• It is completely free and written in plain English.
• It’s interactive and goes step-by-step. From your computer or phone, you can get specific guidance for your needs.
• It is up-to-date. It includes new guidance on the CARES Act passed Friday and complex restrictions that states have added to their unemployment sites.
• We cover benefits that apply to both employed and unemployed people. We’ll calculate the size of your one-time stimulus check, tell you your paid sick leave, and explain how your health insurance will be affected.

We’re adding new information every day to keep up with new federal and state changes. Check to see if you’re eligible for unemployment and other benefits on our Ladder Benefits Portal.

We’ve made a short link that’s easy to remember, too:
LadderPortal.com

For press inquiries, please reach out to UIPortal@withladder.com.

Athena Kan is cofounder and CEO of Ladder, which helps create upward mobility in America. We help people pay for and attend short-term vocational schools (e.g. Certified Nursing Assistant training) and help employers hire them. Ladder is founded by three Harvard alumni and operates in California and Indiana.