Why can't some decisions be easier???

[marcyinPA]

First off I just want to say wow that his UE is more than $16hr - here it is approx $400 a week and that is for the top tier earners.

Secondly, yes look into the difference - If the new offer is less than UE it is possible that he can continue to collect UE for the difference (this seems to vary state to state)

What about benefits? Will he get benefits back (if he had them to lose)

As for the teen and tween, time to have a sit down family chat - they are old enough to know that things are tough and that everyone needs to make some sacrifices to keep the family unit running. That includes behaving themselves and taking on a bit more responsibility for their actions etc.

Lastly, I don't know what the statistics are in your area, but the UE here is so high, people would jump at anything.
I would take the job

I am so sorry, been there. It sucks.

He currently gets the top of the UE scale. His benefit is like $560-something a week. He can earn up to $200 a week on top of that before they start taking it from his benefit. He's been working two part-time jobs while on UE and never collected the total benefit every week.

He will get benefits, but we will be paying MORE than we do paying COBRA with the 65% subsidy. It will be about $340/month for just DH and I. Our boys are on PA CHIP insurance.

As for the kids, they are good kids, and have sacrificed a lot over the years. This has been my DH's third lay-off...they are no strangers to having to give stuff up. I just can't leave them home all day by themselves if DH is working two jobs, and I work a job....Somebody has to be here SOME of the time for them. Yeah, they are old enough to behave, but still...the days of summer are LONG....thankfully, they will be going away to camp for a week each, and my oldest will be going on a mission trip for a week, so the summer will be broken up a bit for them.

I think UE is high everywhere...and we do realize how precious it is to actually have a job. He completely LOVED his job, and although he'll be doing a lesser job, he is happy to be going back there. It's not the job, so much. It's the money that is the issue. We just need to figure out how to make it work. I know that the Lord will provide, but being the control freak that I am, I'm having a hard time giving this up to Him!

 

[marcyinPA]

Can you teach reading? You might consider looking for tutoring work for the summer. Spread the word that you can teach this summer, and you may find some parent customers.

Good luck.

I thought about that, actually. I've never taught any age higher than 2 though! I have my degree in El Ed, but it's been a LONG LONG time since I've done anything with that age group. Is it like riding a bike?!

I had thought about babysitting this summer...or maybe "nanny-ing" would be a better term. Maybe if I put the word out at the preschool I teach at, someone would take me up on it?!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

My kids are 10 and 14. Both boys. Neither old enough to work a "real" job. I don't think I'd feel right taking money from them (at their current ages) to put food on the table. If they can earn a few bucks for their own spending money, doing odd jobs for neighbors, that's fine.

FWIW, my 13 year old son just started doing yard work for a few friends and neighbors, plus our church. He is making about $150/week working one day per week - CASH. I started working at age 12 to help out my parents. We don't need the help, but this really has him feeling good about himself. Something to consider.

 

[JimmyPicker]

First off, I want to say that I understand where you're coming from on this. I've been there. You're scared, finances are bad all around, I get it.

But he HAS to take this job. Your husband is drawing unemployment off of this company and they know it. The second he turns down the job, they're going to turn him in, and he'll not only have no job, he'll have no unemployment. The company pays Unemployment Insurance (required by federal law), and the more people they have drawing unemployment off of them, the higher their rates go, so they have every reason to turn him in for fraud.

You say that he'll make $16 an hour. That's $640 a week. The maximum unemployment for PA is about $580, obviously less. The difference is, I assume, that he isn't paying taxes on the unemployment, but he'll have to pay taxes on a paycheck. The difference is, he'll still have to pay federal taxes on the unemployment. He'll just have to do it when he files his 2010 taxes next year. So even though he may be getting the full $580 now, he's going to pay for it later.

I'm sorry you're going through this. I just don't see him being able to turn down the job. And look on the bright side. If he takes the job, there's the possibility for promotions and raises.

 

[ReneeA]

DH went through the same thing recently. He was laid of for 8 months a couple years ago. Looked like crazy for a new job. Old employer called him back - no guarantee of hours, no more bennies...but at least his hourly wage was the same. He worked 15-35 hours a week for the past year and a half, and we were out of health insurance for that time. I was in nursing school and there was no way I could do more than part time...that was even pushing it. Fortunately, I finished school and now have a job with great insurance.

He's still there, with much different duties than he had before. More responsibility, much more physical work.

FWIW, his employer will probably notify the UE office, and he will lose bennies. Be aware that Pennsylvania has one of the best unemployment rates in the country. My brother works in the laborer's union and goes to PE jobs every year so that he can collect your UE bennies in the winter when he gets laid off. Michigan pays just under $9.00 an hour.

 

[cats mom]

I'm sorry you're going through this. I just don't see him being able to turn down the job. And look on the bright side. If he takes the job, there's the possibility for promotions and raises.

Plus, he probably has a better shot at finding a new job when he's employed. He can still keep the feelers out, follow up with leads, etc.

Good Luck to you.

 

[mamacatnv]

Just a side note - the COBRA subsidsy is only good for 9 months then it reverts back to full cost.

I'm sorry you are stressing, I would be too.

 

[DisMN]

I'm sure anyone who has been in this kind of situation understands!

Totally understand your predicament. We lived all of the last year and a half taking in $2000 less per month...........on a budget that used every single bit of his USUAL paycheck. It's been a bit rough at times but we're figuring it out as we go along. Good luck!

But he HAS to take this job. Your husband is drawing unemployment off of this company and they know it. The second he turns down the job, they're going to turn him in, and he'll not only have no job, he'll have no unemployment. The company pays Unemployment Insurance (required by federal law), and the more people they have drawing unemployment off of them, the higher their rates go, so they have every reason to turn him in for fraud.

Is everyone sure about this? I was under the impression that if you were offered a job that paid lower than you were making before (or a percentage lower) you could turn the offer down.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I agree with PP's who have mentioned the fact that your DH could certainly lose his UE if he elects not to accept the job. If he will really be making significantly less by working than he would on UE he can still continue to collect a percentage of the difference. The employer has every right to report that he was offered a job and elected not to take it. UI is expensive for employers and is based on the amount of claims that they have, if everyone on UE was offered a job and didn't take it for like reasons the employers cost of UI would be so high they would never be able to offer anyones jobs back (figuratively speaking of course).

Benefits are another biggie, COBRA doesn't last forever. And hopefully he can get his old job/payscale back soon, if not there is no harm in continuing to look for something while he is working.

Good luck to your family, its never easy

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Is everyone sure about this? I was under the impression that if you were offered a job that paid lower than you were making before (or a percentage lower) you could turn the offer down.

This likely varies from state to state, here I know for fact as it's happened in DH's company several times. DH has layed guys off and then offered them jobs several months later in a different department and different pay, if they take it they can still collect UE for the difference, if they don't they can and have had their UE taken away if reported to the UE office. I'm pretty sure you can fight it and it's always up to the UE office to make the final decision

 

[Normangirls]

FWIW -- the COBRA subsidy has been extended and can now last up to 15 months.

 

[diznygirl]

Thanks for the hug...Kids are on CHIP...and are on free lunch. We qualify for foodstamps. I just haven't worked up the courage to apply for them. I've been trying to make ends meet on our own. Cutting out our home phone would save us $30. Maybe it's time to do so. Can't cut out internet...we need that on so many levels!!! We lowered our homeowners policy when he was laid off in Feb. Saved us $200 a year. Car insurance is as low as it can get. We have USAA, so very competitive rates. I don't know if we can get our mortgage much lower. $830 a month including PITI is pretty low already. Taxes are a big chunk of our payment. Can't do much about those!

I think we are not going on our meager vacation to Williamsburg, even though the hotel is paid for (and I scored it at $40 a night...)

I'm just so sad about this whole situation....

Take the food stamps. That's a chunk of change out of your budget.

Don't worry about being too proud to do it, or what anyone will think. You need to feed your kids.

 

[figment52]

I was thinking the same thing. If the employer notifies the UE office that he turned down the job offer, they will cancel his benefits.

Your hubby might be able to collect partial UE money. They would take into consideration the amount he is getting paid, and then give him a small amount. Not sure how it works in your state, and heck I haven't had to do it out here, but I have heard that you can work and get some benefits.

In MI if the job offer is for more than the unemployment benefit he needs to accept the position. If it is less than the unemployment benefit he can turn it down and not lose any benefits. If he takes the position for less than the unemployment benefit and files for "underemployment benefits" for the difference it may actually hurt him. The unemployment agency counts a "week" of benefits whether it is for the maximum amount allowed or something less - either way it is a "week" of benefits and counts against your total number of weeks of benefits.

This will vary by state but in MI for every $2 you earn in wages you lose $1 of unem. benefits.

 

[disney1990]

You said that he was laid off in February, so he has been out of work only 2 months. How is he going to feel a year from now when he is possibly still unemployed? I have been looking for work since February 2009. I would love for my old employer to offer me a job -- even making less money. One can only sit home for so long without going batty. I too think that your DH risks losing his UE if he turns down the job -- the company will most likely report him. Lots of wages are dropping and a job you got paid $20 an hour for last night, might only pay $16 an hour this year. Lots of people, right here on the DIS board, have talked about their salaries being cut. Just some things to consider.

 

[marcyinPA]

You said that he was laid off in February, so he has been out of work only 2 months. How is he going to feel a year from now when he is possibly still unemployed? I have been looking for work since February 2009. I would love for my old employer to offer me a job -- even making less money. One can only sit home for so long without going batty. I too think that your DH risks losing his UE if he turns down the job -- the company will most likely report him. Lots of wages are dropping and a job you got paid $20 an hour for last night, might only pay $16 an hour this year. Lots of people, right here on the DIS board, have talked about their salaries being cut. Just some things to consider.

Believe me, this is something we've thought about. It terrifies both of us.

We also know that wages are being cut everywhere. It's just really hard to accept that a person with over 20 years of experience in his field is now making a salary that is $10K less than he made last year, and $40K less than he was making 7 years ago. As I said in a previous post, this is his third lay-off in about 10 years. Unfortunately, he works in a very volatile industry (the technical field).

 

[disney1990]

Believe me, this is something we've thought about. It terrifies both of us.

We also know that wages are being cut everywhere. It's just really hard to accept that a person with over 20 years of experience in his field is now making a salary that is $10K less than he made last year, and $40K less than he was making 7 years ago. As I said in a previous post, this is his third lay-off in about 10 years. Unfortunately, he works in a very volatile industry (the technical field).

I definitely feel for you. I have worked continuously for the past 40 years. I really believe that my age is having an effect on my getting hired at this point. I certainly hope that your DH finds a job soon. For me, I would take anything at this point -- I hate being out of work and having virtually no money. Actually, I have been working for the Census Bureau now for 4 weeks. The job is due to end in the next week or so. But it has been nice working -- even for a little while.

 

[MushyMushy]

Believe me, this is something we've thought about. It terrifies both of us.

We also know that wages are being cut everywhere. It's just really hard to accept that a person with over 20 years of experience in his field is now making a salary that is $10K less than he made last year, and $40K less than he was making 7 years ago. As I said in a previous post, this is his third lay-off in about 10 years. Unfortunately, he works in a very volatile industry (the technical field).

With your degree, have you considered looking into the mental health field at therapeutic staff support jobs? They pay well and have VERY flexible hours, and you could probably work with young children. I live on the opposite side of the state from you and we're desperate out here for people to work in those positions.

I'm sorry for what you're going through.

 

[Tiggeroo]

First check with unemployment, and make sure you speak with an experienced supervisor and get their id number. I don't think you have to take a big paycut or lose unemployment. Normally you are better off on unemployment. Also there is the cobra subsidy. See how much time you have left on it. Also would the kids lose their insurance if he takes the job?
The concern I would have is when will unemployment and the subsidy run out. Are the odds good that he could get something better before then? Can he extend unemployment if he goes for some job training? Maybe he can get into a long training program, perhaps a year for a more in demand job, like in health care that will qualify him to keep unemployment.
I don't see how a family can live on 16. an hour. Another option would be for you to take a serious full time job for as long as he is out of work. This way it won't affect his unemployment status and increase your pay. He can be home with the kids. We may be looking at this same choice ourselves and I know it is awful.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I've been working since I'm 12, your 14 year old can certainly get a part time job.

 

[Darsa]

Yep, here as well Unemployment Compensation is maxed at not-quite $400 (or thereabouts), and if someone on UC was offered a position and didn't take it, their benefits would be lost. =/ Of course it also depends on where you live and what the cost of living is; it's cheaper up here than a lot of places. Heck, I make $13 an hour, and that's considered an okay pay-rate... certainly is way more than enough to deny me any kind of assistance