My husband got laid off Monday - we are still in shock. He was a business manager at a Animal ER hospital. Things had gotten really tight for the company and since he wasn't cutting/doing surg. on animals/billing. He was laid off because they couldn't afford to keep him : (
I've been walking around in shock -- he's filed for unemployeement but we won't know anything for weeks.
I'm a stay at home mom - we have 3 kids. (ages 12,9,4) - our 9 year has kidney problems and a form of Autism. He's on medications daily and even requires a class aid.
We have very little money in savings because in June my husbands car broke down and it wasn't worth fixing so we replaced it with another used truck. Put some money down on it and now have a monthly note.
We found out if we want to keep our health insurance through Cobra its going to run about $1100 a month. -- which is less then what he will get in unemployeement. (We can't lose our health insurance because of my sons health issues and I also have heart problems.)
We have a mortgage on our house -so we have a house note - a car note, insurance, and power, water etc. -- We are going to cut down to the basic's - or I guess just let them cut us off because we can't pay. ( no clue how that works)
This could not have happened at the worst time of the year -with Christmas in a few weeks.
I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO - WHAT TO APPLY FOR - WE HAVE NEVER HAD TO ASK FOR ANY TYPE OF HELP BEFORE. I don'tknow where to go or what to try to ask for.
My family really needs help until my husband can find something - or we both find something. ( I'm going to try to become a sub- teacher that way I can work while the kids are in school - however I can't get in for a interview/and required testing etc for the school board until the Tuesday after Thanksgiving)
My husband has a great MBA in Business & computers but anyone that has called him with interest say they won't be hiring until after the 1st of the year.
If anyone can give me any advice on help we may qualify for please let me know - we live right outside of New Orleans. La
I'm not the type of person that asks for hand outs but if anyone has any extra free coupons, rebates that just need to be sent in.
- It would be really appreciated. I have never felt so helpless in my life - I have 3 kids to take care of and have no clue what to do.
1|1|I'm sorry..that is really sad news|shellysmsmo|jpksms@sbcglobal.net|17:20:09|11/19/2011|
Life throws us so many things we can't seem to handle...BUT you need to try everything..sign up for everything.
You can contact your school resources to help with stuff for the kids. I really hope things get better for all of you.
4|2|yes|zombietoo|littlejadensmom@juno.com|17:24:00|11/19/2011|
def apply for free/reduced price school lunch. If you qualify for food stamps, you qualify for it
2|1|1st|zombietoo|littlejadensmom@juno.com|17:21:40|11/19/2011|
thing Monday morning go to DHS and apply for emergency assistance, temporary assistance for needy families, food stamps and medicaid. hth 3|1|also |zombietoo|littlejadensmom@juno.com|17:22:20|11/19/2011|
WIC for your 4 year old until the 5th b-day.
5|1|just thinking|zombietoo|littlejadensmom@juno.com|17:35:03|11/19/2011|
It's a good thing you have some savings. I don't know how this affects any services or how any retirement plan may affect services. If your husband has a retirement plan, he could do a "hardship" withdrawal and he may be able to pay himself back. Check this out:
http://www.irs.gov/retirement/article/0,,id=162416,00.html
6|2|copy and paste link|zombietoo|littlejadensmom@juno.com|17:39:48|11/19/2011|
clicking on it won't work 7|1|Here's some links...|hudge4|hudge95@yahoo.com|18:04:41|11/19/2011|
http://www.laworks.net/faqs/faq_ui_claimantbenefits.asp
It says there that it would be about 3-4 days before unemployment benefits are available on a debit card. That's good news!
When we were on unemployment COBRA was just too expensive. Go for MediCal (or whatever your state's health insurance is called). They offered
several choices so we stuck with the ins. we had and got to use our same doctors. We had no break in coverage and although my birth control
pills were not on the plan, my daughter's asthma med's were so, again, no break in benefits.
One thing I would suggest as regards to health insurance, get all the services you can during your unemployment time. Any dental or vision that
anyone in the family's been needing, get it now. **NOTE: it may be that only the kids would be eligible for such care but that's ok. At least get them
all fixed up. That's what happened to us. The State changed the rules regarding dental/vision so that only children were eligible unless the adult had
an emergency. Why not get everyone up to date on their exams while you can?
When you apply for food stamps, they give you emergency funds that same day on a debit card. I believe that's how it works nationwide. I'm sure if it's not
someone will correct me.
~~Feedback link~~
http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/1021.html
8|2|okay|MADCAT2C|MADCAT2C@cox.NET|18:23:34|11/19/2011|
I'm looking into stuff online.
My husband applied for unemployeement on Monday - Friday he got paper work in the mail that he had to fill it out and mail it back in. The form said it could take up to 3 weeks.
I applied online for foodstamps Tuesday because when I called the office to ask about it - they said to fill it out online it would be quicker. She said I should hear from a caseworker within 14 days - but with thanksgiving being Thur -she said it maybe a little longer.
I dont know if there is anywhere I can go to get assistance now.
My friend told me about the Wic office and I called they don't have an opening until the 29th. --
I told my son's class paraprofessional what was going on and she sent lunch forms for me to fill out to see if I can apply to get the kids on free lunch/breakfast while we have no income. I was told that also takes about 10 days.
We have very little savings - its not even enough for a mortgage payment.
9|3|Ask your local place of worship**|marybeth|randall3@aol.com|18:24:48|11/19/2011|
:) 10|1|Lots of links inside for you to find help. Sorry to hear about your DH job loss. A far too common occurrence these days. Let me know if you need/want more information.|Ranalt|ainebailey@gmail.com|18:28:41|11/19/2011|
Start here:
US Government Benefits Finder
http://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-finder/#benefits&qc=cat_1
Then go here:
Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services
http://www.dss.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&nid=158&pnid=0&pid=294
&catid=0
Then go here:
WIC...for your youngest
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/
Then go here:
School Breakfast and Lunch Programs...Louisiana
http://doe.louisiana.gov/offices/nutritionsupport/nslp.html
Then go here:
La Chip Louisiana's no cost healthcare for children 19 an under
http://bhsfweb.dhh.louisiana.gov/LaChip/no-cost/index.asp
Then go here:
Louisiana's Assistance Programs
http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/louisiana_assistance_programs.html
Then go here:
Louisiana Outreach Programs
http://www.outreachcenters.net/louisiana.html
I think these links should keep you busy for a while.
Let me know if you want/need more information.
Adding more:
2--1-1
Put in your state or zip code and then click on the appropiate link.
They will help you find the help you need.
http://www.211.org/
Salvation Army locator near you
Just put in your zip code
http://www.uss.salvationarmy.org/uss/www_uss_greaterneworleans.nsf/
Catholic Charities
I went there to find help for you and found a jobs listing
http://www.ccano.org/jobs/
St. Vincent DePaul
http://www.svdpbr.com/Programs.aspx
Life is like a cup of tea,
It's all in how you make it.
Lisa
11|1|hope|joseph|parkerjoe3@yahoo.com|19:10:01|11/19/2011|
you can get some help.ask friends ,family i was a sahm also luckily my husband was never laid off i'd be frantic also food banks should help. sometimes people go on craigslist and ask for things i don't know what else to say but i'm sure youtr in shock maybe the co. he worked for might have a idea of where this same work is at another simular co. good luck 12|2|So sorry to hear this, wish I could help you in some way . I will keep you & your family in my prayers!!!|cashcoll|cashcoll@yahoo.com|19:18:38|11/19/2011|
Have a Great Day!
*********************************
GO HOGS GO!!
Woooooooooo, Pig! Sooiee!
13|3|Get husband working on resume; send out everywhere possible...|sneakers1234|ross417@msn.com|22:54:14|11/19/2011|
Simply Hired, monster etc.
Think of every co near you he wants to work and look at their website.
He has an MBA -- he will surely find work rather quickly (not sure his salary in LA, but should be able to find work)
Do NOT let him sit around depressed.
He must open an Linkedin account and start listing his qualifications, etc
There he can search for old friends from school or jobs etc.
Everyone out there is willing to help others looking for work.....
As he starts applying (he makes his own, cleanly-named email) tell him to CHECK the junk folder.
I missed two job replies into my junk because I never checked it.
Don't be depressed around him either...
Don't mention food stamps and all that around him.
He has to be motivated.
While great to apply gov assistance---instead encourage him that he is well educated
and has lots of transferrable skills and he will find work making more.
And surprisingly, he will.
(I did.. was at a co for 20 years, was shocked when laid off; found a job in 4 months and the money was higher)
14|4|school lunches..(M)|kthy26|kthy26@yahoo.com|01:43:36|11/20/2011|
If anyone at the school has a heart that would take your application and call directly to the food service office and get your approved over the phone. I work at a school and I have done this many many many times for people that bring me there application and tell me they have lost a job or have no income I will call and get approval over the phone and from that day on there is no payment, but keep in mind when you list no income on your application that application is only good for 45 days, you must resubmit every 45 days until you get income unless you get food stamps, if you get foodstamps and list a case number and list no income there will be no need to submit but an application with no food stamp case number and no income will only remain valid for 45 days. hope this info helps you, if you have a parent liason in your school they should beable to help you because i know our school right now is prepared to deliver thanksgiving meals this next week to our family that are on the free lunch program and they will also get items at christmas time, usually each family at christmas time will get a 100$ gift card per child in the family and the fixings for a dinner...dont be afraid to go to the school and ask
thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time
Kathy 15|1|You WILL get through this...|noway|mizzbishop@gmail.com|06:52:27|11/20/2011|
Just keep plugging along and don't be afraid to ask friends and the community for help. Salvation Army can offer emergency boxes. Your hub is at least lucky in the fact that he will definitely be able to find at least a seasonal job since it's the Christmas season and lots and lots of retail places are hiring. My husband lost his job in January and he just now got a job on Friday. It's so hard out there but there is hope. This economy sucks but you will get through this. This has been the hardest year of my life, having no income for so long and the only light at the end of my tunnel was the hope that someone would hire my husband. We humiliated ourselves asking for help and support from friends and family but sometimes you have to be humble and ask. Just keep your chin up, your family deserves to be happy and feel secure and sooner than you think, you will be back on your feet. Don't ever lose that hope. In the meantime just work on couponing extra hard to get awesome deals on groceries to save money, distract yourself with free events in your community like zoo visits or museum days. Look for free activities to do with your kids. Christmastime is good in the fact that there are lots of free events.
Just know that you and your family are in my prayers and thoughts. You will emerge from this stronger than ever. 16|1|Any job updates? |sneakers1234|ross417@msn.com|19:07:05|12/03/2011|
Got something good? make an offer... let's trade!! 17|2|Nothing -|MADCAT2C|MADCAT2C@cox.NET|22:34:55|12/04/2011|
he has been looking everywhere - even in other states. we will move if we have to.
I did get the kids approved for free lunch but thats about it.
Everything else is still pending - foodstamps, medical, etc.
We also found out that his ex- boss is going to fight the unemployeement - another business office employee put in his notice friday - and he messaged my husband to let him know that she was fighting the unemployeement.
It will be 3 weeks tomorrow and I really don't know what we are going to end up doing.
18|3|You could apply for ssi for your son that has autism|glennie58|glenn_scott@alumni.ksg.harvard.edu|02:40:45|12/05/2011|
Hth 19|4|maybe Medicaid ?|glennie58|glenn_scott@alumni.ksg.harvard.edu|02:41:36|12/05/2011|
For all children? 20|5|So sorry they're fighting the UC|Sara_s_Mom|IClipCoupons@gmail.com|09:34:37|12/05/2011|
Don't see how they could since they couldn't afford to keep him and laid him off. How rude! Does he have anything in writing stating that was the reason he was laid off?
You've probably checked around at local food pantries. Does your state have a CHIP program? I hope you guys get some relief soon.
Has he checked USA jobs? The Federal Gov't does a lot of hiring and not just for nerdy engineers.
They also offer pretty good bennies.
Check with your church - they do Angel Trees. Ours does every year. Also, when my mom was little, the Salvation Army provided Christmas presents. Please do not be too hesitant to reach out to local agencies for help.
Earn swag bucks toward Amazon codes and more! It's super easy! Ask me for more info if interested. Please use this link to join, or email me for an invitation. http://swagbucks.com/?cmd=sb-register&rb=58333
Also: Mysearchbonus.com - earn points for searching, redeem for gift cards. Lots to choose from! I just learned about a new search engine where you get 1 point per search (natural searching....) and once you hit 1,000 points, you can cash out for a $10 gift card. Just another great money making opportunity for searching the internet!
Here's my referral link if you are interested:
http://www.mysearchbonus.com/?p=join&rid=c878cb22180e1c72ec3acff2d421688c
*************************************
Check out my blog - Making Ends Meet: Living On One Income - for posts on money saving tips! http://livingononeincome.blogspot.com/
Money woes? Associated Content pays writers for content. Curious about what kind of articles AC will pay for? Take a look at my articles at the link below. If I can do it, so can you! Please email me with questions, I'll be glad to help! http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/72250/carly_hart.html