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Stupid economy!

MrsBarkel2BMrsBarkel2B
in 3rd Trimester
One of my good friends just called me in tears. Her hubby got laid off today. She's a SAHM with a 18 month old and she's 23 weeks pregnant. They have like no savings because they used it to buy their first house like 6 months ago.

I told her to call her mortgage company immediately and tell them the situation and hopefully they will work with them. I also said to call WIC who can help with food for a while. Any other suggestions? Thoughts and prayers for them are very much appreciated. She's terrified.

mr & mrs || 11.18.06
DD born 07.06.09 || DS born 01.24.11 || Bean 3.0 due 11.16.12
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Re: Stupid economy!

  • ChrissyK88ChrissyK88
    aww. we will keep her in our thoughts and prayers... he should apply for unemployment asap
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  • saj&jajsaj&jaj

    Can he apply for unemployment? If so, I suggest he do it immediately.  Are they eligible for COBRA? I believe the laws regarding COBRA have recently changed or are about to change, but he'll need to get that information as well so they can remain insured. 

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  • nicolehoppenicolehoppe

    She should look into COBRA and other ways to cover medical care for herself and child.  I believe the government now helps to subsidize COBRA.  There is also MiChild in Michigan (if she lives near you) and Medicaid if they will qualify now.

    Obviously, cut out any expenses that are not absolutely necessary.  She could possibly look into providing babysitting and care services for a neighbor or friend.

    If they have debt or payments outside of a mortgage, she should call and renegotiate those payments too. 

    Above all, just try to be thankful for things they do have- healthy pregnancy and children and support hubby in finding a new gig.

    As a friend, you can help lift her spirits by finding free events for your guys to go to and spend time to take her mind of things.

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  • mandolynn81mandolynn81 member

    also call the credit card companies and let them know, in some cases with proof of unemployment they will lower interest rates to less than 5% and lower min payment balances.?

    ?

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  • sweetyface77sweetyface77 member

    Awww poor thing!  My heart goes out to her and her family. 

    First, her hubby should file an unemployment claim and request the Cobra paperwork for insurance.  She should definitely contact WIC to see about milk and bread and other staples.  Good call on having her reach out to her mortgage company.  They may be able to bundle one of her payments into the end of her mortgage so that they keep their heads above water.

    Have her contact her cable company (if she has cable), auto loan company (if she has one) and her credit card companies (if she has any credit cards) and have her talk with them.  Above all, it's important that she keep in constant communication with all her creditors to avoid any issues.  I hope things work out and I wish them the best.

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  • 2007wife2007wife
    might sound harsh, but this the reason you should NEVER put all of your money and savings into a home. Everyone should have an emergency fund, especially if you have children and rely on only one income.
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  • SteffaniOSteffaniO member
    If they just bought their first house and were planning on waiting until next year to claim the first-time homebuyer tax credit, they should see if they're eligible to claim it with an amendment to their 2008 taxes. My understanding is that right now it's only taking a couple of weeks to receive the credit once the amendment is filed.
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  • BuddhaKittyBuddhaKitty
    That totally sucks.  Collecting unemployment is a must, and see if they can get on a county program to give them Food Stamps for now and medical coverage for her, unless they are doing COBRA.  If they want to do a county program, they should book the county appointment pronto, like this week.  If they live in a metro area, there are also focus marketing groups that meet for 1-2 hours and pay anywhere between $50-$150 to participants - all they do is ask questions and opinions on certain things to help them market product.  These can be found on Craigslist or special focus group websites, and I have collected about $500 from doing these in the past so they are ligit.  And could DH work anywhere (i.e. Starbucks, retail) while he looks for another job, just to have some kind of income?  Also, will he get severance pay?
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  • MrsBarkel2BMrsBarkel2B
    No severence apparently but he went and got the unemployment paperwork at lunch. She called the bank and mortgage company and is waiting for them to call back with options and she was going to call WIC and stuff this afternoon when her son was napping (or trying to - when he saw his mom and dad crying at lunch he got really upset and is all in a tissy). Thanks for all the suggestions I've been passing them on to her. She really appreciates all of your help!
    mr & mrs || 11.18.06
    DD born 07.06.09 || DS born 01.24.11 || Bean 3.0 due 11.16.12
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  • poopteenpoopteen member
    imageMrsBarkel2B:
    One of my good friends just called me in tears. Her hubby got laid off today. She's a SAHM with a 18 month old and she's 23 weeks pregnant. They have like no savings because they used it to buy their first house like 6 months ago.

    I told her to call her mortgage company immediately and tell them the situation and hopefully they will work with them. I also said to call WIC who can help with food for a while. Any other suggestions? Thoughts and prayers for them are very much appreciated. She's terrified.

     If she's in Michigan, she needs to go see a caseworker at the Dept of Human Services ASAP. Being pregnant with no income, she's eligible for Medicaid for herself and her children, food stamps/Bridge card, AND a cash allowance that is based on the ratio of income versus # of dependants and documentable living expenses (mortgage/utilities/etc). I was processed almost immediately in the UP, but the caseworker:caseload ratio is probably a lot lower up there than in the LP so the sooner she fills out the paperwork, the better. The paperwork is very thorough and lengthy, and if she feels overwhelmed by it, tell her not to worry - they'll accept it partially done just to get you in the door and then work with you on it to finish it in an appointment.

    Like you said, there's also WIC, which is helpful, but isn't enough to keep mouths fed. It's meant more as a supplement to one's diet. 

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  • Bonnie ClubbBonnie Clubb
    Can she apply for medicaid? this helps out with the medical bills and they might still be able to help with the L/D too. I would call and find out.
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