My husband lost his job at a large company in Michigan. What next?

Question

We will recieve a severance package for 10 months in 2 payments.

I am a full-time student. What do I do about my financial aid? I did not get Pell grants in the past.

Will we qualify for FIA? Foodstamps? WIC (I have a 2yr old)? We have 6 kids at home.

How does the severance package work?

Answer 1

My suggestion depending on where you live at, find/get another job!  Even if it is one he does not like right now, but get some income coming in till it gets better.  Too many people lose their jobs, and sit at home "waiting for someone to call me" and it never happens.  Read some "job listings", hit the pavement, knock on some doors, etc.  Good luck with that.  

Answer 2

You need to talk to the financial aid office and appeal your fafsa.  They go by last years income, but since this years will not be the same you muct appeal it.  I had to do this because I was making $20,000/yr and a dependent but the next year I switched to a independent on welfare, so I had to definetly change it or I wasn't going to any financial aid.  

I don't know how much the severence package is, but heres a food stamp calculator to find out: http://www.foodstamphelp.org/document.20...

and heres wic income limits:  http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/howtoapply/i...

You guys can make up to 65,860/yr and still qualify, as long as the kids ar eunder 6 yrs

Answer 3

Thankfully he's getting severance, but it's a TOUGH job market out there right now. Batten down the hatches and save your money because you all will probably be needing every penny of the severance unless the economy turns around right away. Call your local dept. of health and human services about applying for all those things you mentioned. He should also register with Michigan's unemployment office. I hope you guys get everything worked out because the economy is really tanking right now. Good luck to you all.

Answer 4

Do all these ASAP:

Schedule an appointment with the Financial Aid office.

Call your EOPS office at the school you attend and see if you are eligible for their program.

Call and schedule an appointment with your local Health and Human Services office.

If you are having a difficult time with food, contact your local Catholic Charities (regardless of your religion)  See if they can help you get set up for food bank.  They will also let you know what other services you might be eligible for.

Get the kids on the free school breakfast and lunch program -- do this by calling the school district and asking for the paperwork.

Call your creditors and let them know what's going on -- see if you can work out a reduced payment plan for now.

I've learned it's best to go straight to the source (and FAST!) in situations like this.  Best of luck to you and your family.