Residents in Easton and the surrounding areas already know how hard the sluggish economy has hit our state. For example, one Maryland quarry worker who has been laid off is now struggling to pay for his blood-pressure medication. As a result of his unemployment, the man is now un-insured, and his medical bills must now be lumped into a pile of other unpaid bills.

However, this man is not alone. In Hagerstown, for example, the unemployment rate was reportedly 9.4 percent in October. Maryland, overall, had an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent in the same month. What may seem astounding to some people is that Hagerstown unemployment is actually down from 10.1 percent in September.

The highest unemployment rate in Maryland was recorded in Worcester County at 10.6 percent. Even so, it is down from 17 percent, which is where it hovered back in January and February of 2011. In both Hagerstown and Worcester County, those who are losing their jobs are also losing their access to health care.

What does all this mean for many Maryland residents? It means that debt relief is commonly needed for individuals and families to secure their basic needs and begin thinking of a financial restart. For people who are unable to work or for those who are considering filing for bankruptcy, options are available. As the economy continues to trudge along, one solid option for relief is look into filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Doing so may reveal new ideas related to the necessary debt consolidation or financial restructuring necessary to help individuals alleviate the heavy burden of their medical expenses.

Source: gazatte.net, "Unemployed face bleak job market during the holidays," Erin Cunningham, Dec. 2, 2011