Article from The onUp Movement: Taking Back Control: Budgeting In A Time Of Crisis . Right now, it feels like everything is changing. Perhaps you or someone in your family has been furloughed or laid off, or you worry that it could happen soon. It’s easy to feel stressed or worried about your money. But there are things that you can do right now to take back control. If you’ve lost your job, apply for unemployment right away through your state’s website . The CARES Act has introduced changes to unemployment insurance benefit and you could be eligible for an extra $600 weekly payment. The number of weeks you can claim benefit for has also increased. With so many people filing claims right now you’re likely to experience long wait times but hang in there. Once approved, your checks should arrive in a few weeks. Differentiate between needs vs. wants As a rule of thumb your most important needs usually include; housing, food, utilities, insurance, g