Unemployment, Welfare and Frustration

[taiauberon]

Well, it looks like DH's unemployment is going to be less than 1/2 of his full time income.  We haven't gotten final numbers yet, but it's still not going to be enough to pay the bills. 

I called the county today to see if I could qualify for any kind of emergency assistance to get us through until he finds full time work again.  We don't qualify for anything.  Family of 3, income (not including what little u/e he may get) is less than 32K a year.  Nothing.  All the money we have paid in over the years to assist for this stuff and we get nothing. 

What really frustrates me is that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people receiving assistance who are NOT looking for jobs (my babysitter's husband is one of them).  People who have multiple children and have been receiving assistance for multiple years.  I need assistance for a few months (hopefully less) just to make ends meet.  Give me $200 a month in food assistance and I can feed my entire family for a  month.  Heck, put me on WIC and give me milk, cereal, juice, cheese and eggs and I can fill in the rest.  But no, I get nothing.  I make too much.

I have no problem with people on assistance as a step up, it's supposed to be assistance, not a way of life.  When I applied for WIC when my son was a newborn, I saw how it all worked.  There were women in that room dressed in designer clothes, hair and nails done, kids in designer clothes driving brand spanking new $40,000 SUVs.  And I didn't qualify by $500 a year (both parents working, both driving vehicles that were paid for and older, son in hand me downs...)

At this point, unless something changes drastically in the next couple of weeks, we will end up in foreclosure.  I don't know if we will be able to find an apartment we can afford.  My income covers part of the mortgage, child care, my car payment (used vehicle), car insurance, cell phones (our only phones - and still in contract), the babysitter (well under the going rate for my area) and the utilities and my gas.  I can eke out enough for groceries most months.  Credit cards won't get paid.  The internet will probably have to be disconnected. 

I have no idea what I'm going to do.  No one in our family is in a financial place where they can help us out.  I don't want to have to cash DH's 401K but we might be forced to to survive. 

[heathr.rawks]

Feb. 19, 2009 at 2:13 PM

I'm sorry you're in this situation and I know this won't "fix" everything but have you tried going to local Churches who do food drives? Maybe if you get some food, you can work around what you already have than when you go shopping. It might help save your family a little money. Can child care be cut out since your husband isn't working right now? Can car insurance be cut back to "crash and burn" insurance if it's not already? I wish you luck :)

[figaro8895]

Feb. 19, 2009 at 3:14 PM

Check around with any local churches... Years ago I accidentally ran across an organization that provided assistance in emergency situations/job loss, regardless of income if I remember right. Catholic Charities, United Way are good places to start, but alot of nonprofits don't spend money on advertising - local churches here generally have lists. Also, check out Angel Food network. I have ALWAYS made "too much money" for assistance and have been in desparate situations... I feel ya on the whole thing walking in to ask for help being surrounded by expensive cars, cell phones, and hairdos/nails. It's very frustrating. Like they would rather have you just quit your job too. I don't get it. Good luck.

[taiauberon]

Feb. 19, 2009 at 3:21 PM

Can't cut back the insurance on my Van.  The state of MN requires full coverage on vehicles that are not fully paid for.  I still owe 3 years on my loan.  My husband's car is bare minimum insurance.

I can't really cut back on child care since my husband needs to be out looking for jobs.  It's hard to find a job when you are stuck at home caring for a 2 year old.  Also, I pay very little for my child care (about 1/2 the going rate). 

As for the churches, since we don't attend one, it's kind of a weird thing for me.  It is, however, something to look into.

(Original Poster)

[MearaFayak]

Feb. 19, 2009 at 6:09 PM

I'm so sorry honey... food shelves can help with food. most dont need an income level to get stuff... I've had to go there... Hugs

[pugslave]

Feb. 21, 2009 at 11:14 AM

We are in a similar situation.  Family of 3.  I work at home, and don't have the baby sitter fee, but we too make "too much" to qualify for anything, and it's VERY frustrating.  My DH has been out of work since June. He has a Batchelor's degree and 15+ years experience in a high level company, and still nothing.  His unemployment is way less than half his original pay.  It's hard to stay positive, but I have to otherwise....  I wish you all the best, and drop me a note if you need to vent!