job lost

Flakey_Flake said:

Wow - talk about getting
Wow - talk about getting kicked while you're down! I don't know what state you are in (state of panic?), or what you have for assistance. I am in Wisconsin. I was jobless when dx, and going to school online. I found out I couldn't handle school and treatment at the same time, so was technically going to find myself in a position where unemployment would no longer be an option. (I am not a very good liar. I coiuld have kept my condition a secret, but that's just not me.) I applied for disability. Fortunately I was dx early in the semester, and technically was still attending school until about a month before disability kicked in. I was very fortunate that we also have a Well Woman Program in our county. I applied and am on the program for the duration of my treatment. It will pick up all my medical bills and medications. (Actually it is a form of Medicaid)

Actually, when I found myself facing no income and no insurance, I called anyone I could think of who might have an assistance program. I told my onc my situation, and that if I couldn't finish treatment, there was no sense in starting another round of chemo. My clinic had a program I would have qualified for that would have picked up my medicals (xcept no hospitol benifits) but the Well Woman Program had more provisions. The Amercan Cancer Societey also has some assistance avaailable for people who are being treated. In my county we also have a Pink Ribbon Advocacy group that will help pay bills for anyone being treated for bc. Get on the phone and check around. Often if one agency can't help, they will tell you who can.

It is so devastating to lose a job you have been at for ten years. I lost a job I had been at for eighteen years, and I didn't want to poke my head out the door for a long time. It can be as emotionally traumatic as a divorce, or death. No surprise when you consider working full time means you spend the majority of you waking hours at work, and it becomes a kind of home and family to us. Often we define ourtselves by our work positions, which may not be right, but sometimes it cannot be helped. Friends made sure I didn't "hermitize" myself too much, and I made it through. I was able to collect unemployment, which was about a third of what I was bringing in at work. But I made it through. And I kept my faith in God, which gave me the strength to keep going.

Another thing, if you had insurance from work, and choose to COBRA in on it, there should be a stimulus benifit that will pay 80% of the bill for a period of time. At least there was when I lost my job Feb 09. Whoever is administering the COBRA plan for your company can enroll you in that.

There is also mortgage modification programs which will work with your mortgage holder to re-finance into something you can afford. You would go through your mortgage holder to get that rolling. And if they won't pick up the ball (I've heard stories of banks that just drag their feet on these.) Maybe go to another bank and ask if they won't help you out. I am not real sure how these work, because I have never gone through that, but know there is mortgage help out there, and is there just for people like you - who have lost their job and don't want to loose their house.

Just hang in there, and don't let the fact that they let you go get to you. I've seen the devastation of layoffs from both sides of the coin. It can be just as traumatic for the people who still have their job to see you go. I have seen tears in the eyes of those that have to deliver the news, and walk people off premisis. No one likes to see things like this happen. And please don't consider it a reflection of your skills and abilities. Often the decision is completely random as to who gets it and who stays. (Almost like drawing names out of a hat) If you're one of those who needs to stay completely busy, fill the spare hours with volunteer work. It is also a good way to network, and will make you feel useful.

It sounds like you will receive your regular pay for three months as a part of a seperation package. Cut down as much as you can on spending, and use it it clear up old bills, and get used to the frugal lifestyle. Just peck away at them as you can. You will feel alot better when you don't feel overwhelmed by bills. Then after the three months, you should be able to collect unemployment if you don't find a job. It may not be much, but it is better than nothing. There is no shame in it. You have paid into the system, so don't feel bad about the system paying you back something.

And don't worry if for a while you get up each day, and keep looking at the clock thinking "if I were at work, I would be doing this or that right now." It is just a part of mourning the loss of your job. Try to find things to keep your mind busy. Organize the bills, make out a budget, tackle some project you have been putting off because you had to work every day.

I am worried about you PRV. The situation is not as hopeless as it feels right now. I promise you, the tunnel is there, and there is a "good" light shining.

Sharon