I would argue that a disproportionate number of FAANG employees have lifestyle crept outside the realm where existing social programs could be helpful. Healthcare in this country is still practically tied to your employer (or super expensive cobra) and in this industry that employment is likely at-will, so that assistance doesn’t feel sufficient. At least not for a country that purports to be the world’s primary economic engine (maybe at exporting exceptionalism).

Yeah and it's paltry, not easy to get, and often not applicable if you made above $X dollars.

Gap health insurance (COBRA) is also absurdly expensive.

By comparison, I live in Canada now and I'm covered by provincial healthcare no matter what, and I had "transit insurance" aka COBRA Canada through the same provider who did our healthcare and dental stuff which was billed at the same rate I paid before, albeit with slightly less benefits. Maybe $110/month CAD.

Was also eligible for COVID AID just by having any sort of job impact. Covered my half of the rent for 3 months.

UEI took nearly 4 months before it started paying out for my wife last year (Colorado). Make sure you have emergency savings. If she had been single or the sole earner for a household, she would have been screwed.