Businesses offering breaks for jobless

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - It's never a good day to hear that you've lost your job, but some businesses want to make sure that, if you have, you’ll be helped. That's what Ford, General Motors, FedEx, and Walgreens are pitching in these tough economic times.

Both GM and Ford just released payment protection plans. For customers who lose their jobs, Ford will cover a year's worth of payments up to $700 a month.

"It's just a way for Ford to kind of give our customers peace of mind and to show customers that we have their back," said Ford executive Mark Fields.

General Motors said they also want to help out. For customers who’ve lost their jobs, they will cover nine payments up to $500 a month.

Walgreens announced they are offering healthcare for customers who are unemployed and uninsured at its in-store clinics.

Melissa Chriswell is the lead nurse practitioner at the Walgreens on West 86th Street. Chriswell said it's much easier for people to look for work when they feel well.

"We feel it's the right thing to do, especially in these tough economic times...to be able to offer to our patients in this time of need," said Chriswell.

Sherry Long of Flora, Indiana said, "I think it's really awesome cause there's a lot of hurting people out there and there's a lot of sick little kids that could really use your help."

Denny's restaurant announced Tuesday an incentive for customers who bring in a friend on April 8. The friend will get a free and new meal called the "Grand Slamwich". The new deal comes on the heels of a previous offer for a free Grand Slam breakfast.