(ContentDesk) February 20, 2006 -- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 851,997 workers lost their jobs in 2005. There were 1,795,341 initial unemployment insurance claims in 2005 and in the fourth quarter alone, over 200,000 were left jobless. 2005 jobless rates for were up in 17 states, and with so many layoffs many Americans may face a grim reality in 2006, says Howard Dvorkin founder of Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc. and author of Credit Hell: How to Dig Out of Debt. Among the states, California had the highest number of initial claims filed due to mass layoff in December with almost 39,000.

Michigan had the next highest initial claims with 30,456, followed by Illinois with nearly 17,000 claims, Pennsylvania with 16,249 and Wisconsin with 13,071.Consolidated Credits Tips for Surviving a Layoff:Negotiate a Severance Package. When you're let go, youll probably be offered some severance, so try to negotiate for what you will need to get you by while you look for new employment. Take Advantage of Available Programs. You might be eligible for unemployment insurance and in some states you might be eligible for training, loans, or unemployment while you set up your own business. Find Part-Time Work.

Part-time work should allow time and flexibility to pursue your job search. Your primary job is to find full time permanent employment. Slash your budget Cut as many expenses as possible. Cut down dry cleaning, cable, the maid and newspapers and magazines that will not aid you in finding a job. Trim the unavoidable billsPhone bill: Make sure to call when you're paying the cheapest per minute prices for long distance.

Utility bill: Turn off lights in unused rooms and cut back on your shower time. You're not going to save tons of cash with even overzealous energy bill squeezing, but for the unemployed, no sum saved is too small.Groceries: Visit the supermarket and shop with a well-prepared list. Oh, and avoid the cookie aisle. Check rates and feesInterest rate: If you've already got credit card debt, or you think you soon will, seek out a new credit card with a lower interest rate and transfer your outstanding balances immediatelyFor free information on what to do if you are laid off, Consolidated Credits booklet Surviving a Layoff can help. It can be downloaded from http://www.consolidatedcredit.org/pdfs/Surviving-A-Layoff.pdf .

Consolidated Credit Counseling Services Inc. is a federally approved, non-profit agency dedicated to helping people prevent and solve personal money management difficulties through educational programs, personal debt counseling, and by providing free nonpartisan information via the Internet. We have assisted hundreds of thousands of individuals and families with life-altering credit, debt, and financial issues..