Last couple of weeks have been really rough..

Hi FMily!!

As many of you may have noticed I've been AWOL for the past couple of weeks. 

I started a new job on May 4th so that's kept me pretty busy.  At exactly the same time I walked into the new job my husband got laid off from his job of 31 years.  He was a lead supervisor at a metal fabicating plant.  So I was walking in the front door of my job as he was walking out the back door of his.

He is eligable of unemployment, thankfully.  And he will be paid the highest amount that is available, but that's about 1/3 of what his regular income normally will be.  And of course we will have to go on COBRA.  With the stimulus plan for CORBRA our payments will be about $500 a month.  With all  of my health issues we NEED health insurance.

When I took on this new job, I gave up my unemployment and I'm only getting paid about $20 more a week compared to my unemployment and my commute is about an hour a day..so the extra $20 will pay for gas (as long as it doesn't go up any more than it already has)

So now we are making about 1/3 of what we were making 6 months ago. 

As many of you know my husband has some serious sight problems, but he does NOT qualify for disability because with correction your eyesight needs to be 20/200, he's 20/160.  He also has a partually paralized hand, which was injured on the job about 25 years ago. 

My husband has dedicated his life for 31 years to this company.  And it really hurts to get the boot.

So far I haven't had a flare with all of this stress.  I'm fighting it tooth and nail.  And I'll do my best to stay positive with this very negative situation.

I'm not sure if we'll be able to make it, financially.

All I'm asking for is prayers and positive vibes (from those of you that don't pray)

Hugs for now..

(((((Patti)))))
Yes, I've miised you! And I'm so sorry to hear that your husband lost his job. 31 years at one job is amazing in this day and age and how horrible that he lost his job. On the other hand, paying $500 a month for COBRA is really great. Without the stimulus plan, you'd be paying about 2 to 3 times that, so that is one thing to be grateful for. I will keep you and your husband in my thoughts and prayers and I hope that things work out for you very soon!
Gentle hugs,
Miriam

Patti, that is not good news- wow, I am sorry to hear this. This economy is affecting soooo many people.

 

Been thinking about you, knowing you were returning to work. My job before the fibro hit was like yours and I relate! And then when you narrow down what you are actually making compared to unemployment- UG!

 

I am fighting Soc. Sec. Disability, and am on assistance through the county and state (living on peanuts) and got on every program out there imaginable to make it and I know you can too! I'm not sure if you have an Energy Assistance program where you live? We have one, and it does help pay for gas and electricity. Also, programs for food. Put a call in to the county and ask to speak to someone about what they have available- these programs have their place and they are there to help you through times like this.

 

You and hubby will be in my thoughts and prayers! You are going to make it through this Patti! 

Jill 

 

 

 

 

Hey Pattipanda; yup, we've missed you. A lot of people are suffering from the Global Financial Crisis, due to a few greedy liars at the Exchange. It was all a myth. No point in crying over spilt milk. The writer who suggested plugging into programs like food stamps, social welfare and all that. There is no shame in this. You guys did everything right. Also, hubby needs to re-apply to SS due to other health/work disability, specifically, hand. As far as the difference between what you rec'd on Unemployment vs. what you now earn. I know you will move up through the ranks and it will be a different equation in a year. Many women face this, re-entering the workforce. I re-member re-entering after the birth of my second, I actually was losing money, going to work. A colleague adopted, went on a LOA and I got her job. #x's the money. Happened right out of the blue. Right spot, right time. You won't be in that "right spot" if you're home watching telly. I wish you all the luck. get hubby to stick a few prongs in the fire. You just never know, when something or somebody might be at the right place, right time. Cheers;

Patti, I will definitely be praying for you.  I think most of us are going through tough times now but we will make it.  I went through my home and bills and looked for any way to cut costs.  It has really helped me.  For example, I have recessed spotlights in my kitchen...six of them.  I stopped using them and use the light kit on my fan and I have knocked $60 off my electric bill just by doing that!  So if you really look around, you will see things that you can conserve on until things pick up again.

 

Your husband has a wonderful working record so I just bet he could find something else.  Businesses that are hiring are looking for good, hard-working people and it sounds like your husband fits the bill.  I hope he finds something soon. 

 

Sherrine

Thanks everyone!!

As much as I want to believe that my husband will find work soon I must let you all know that our area is one of the hardest hit areas in Indiana.  We are facing 18% unemployment, those are the folks that are actually collecting unemployment right now.. that doesn't take into consideration the folks who's unemployment benefits that have run out.. so realistically our unemployed rate is 26% right now.  I'm in the business of economic development so I see the writing on the wall and its awful here. 

Right now we wouldn't qualify for any community programs.  I'm the one that they go to for that since I'm in the Chamber of Commerce business.  I know just about all the rules and regs for that stuff.

Hubby visited his work place (as he must do weekly to qualify for unemployment).  When he asked his direct boss how things were going, he just shook his head and said "not good".   So, my gut feeling is hubby will be on unemployment till at least the fall and if the company survives they might not call him back.  They have laid off 70 workers and that's almost half of their workforce.

Since he doesn't drive because of his eyesight that knocks about half of what ever is out there.. and trust me, there's nothing.  Also having the problems he has with his hand knocks out the other half.  But I don't think he would qualify for SSDI.. but I am encouraging him to go see a lawyer about it.    We can't tap into our 401k till it becomes a total hardship. 

I feel just terrible for him.  He was really crushed by being laid off.  This job was a big part of his life and its as if the rug was pulled out from under him.  But he took the news waaaaay better than I did.  I cried on again off again for 2 days.

I just keep taking my xanax to try to keep calm.  Hopefully that will ward off any flares.

Thanks for listening/reading.

Sweet Patti!

I too have missed you and am praying that you and hubby will be OK. Please do have him look into the disability option. He should qualify and the older you are it seems your chances go up. They hate putting younger folks on disability because of how long they will have to pay them. But us who are nearing SS age already seem to be more likely to get approved. Have him go online and look at what's out there.

Also, have him check with a local community college for retraining programs. They are very good at getting more help for people who have any physical disabilities. They are usually better funded than a lot of other areas and can help with getting retraining paid for and do placement. He may just slide into a slump for a while and who can blame him...so watch for signs of depression. I guess I don't need to tell you that but I just worry like a mother hen.

Hugs,
Chutzie