Just when I thought everything was going to work out....

Sassamac

..... things take a turn for the worst.

DH's job disappeared into thin air today!
He works for a recruitment agency and has been doing the same job for 7 months now, really just waiting for someone else to leave so the company would take him on directly, rather than via the agency (the result being a hefty pay rise). But the business can no longer run and he got the call this morning to say thats that. They may be back in business in the summer, they may not!

Its so frustrating. He got made redundant in April by being told that was his last day (i.e. no advance warning), spent a few months temping before getting this ongoing job, and now almost the same scenario. Last time he missed out on redundancy money as you have to be employed for 2 years, he was there 22 months!

After 9 months of living on the savings and then getting into further debt (our debts prior to this were small and manageable), we finally had a joint LBM at Christmas.
Even since the LBM we were getting more and more OD. Feb looks to be the first month we wont have been adding to our overall debt. We've just realsied tax credits have been underpaying us by a small fortune, and we're just about to start seriously chipping away at the debt when this happens. We sat down at Christmas and came up with all the budgets for 2008 based on his earnings and the funny way he gets paid and now its all up in the air again.

He gets paid for 4 days work on Friday and then thats it. I am a full-time Mum looking after a pre-schooler and a toddler, so although I am in the process of looking for work, as at yet, we are a single income family.

We're seriously skint at the mo, as despite having not added to the debt this month, we've spent money on DIY and motorbike repairs, plus lost a days wages, so whereas before we've always kept a good margin away from our OD limit, we're now right up to it. Last time this happened we at least had some money put by and a hefty OD, this time we're right up against it.

Any words of wisdom from you lovely DFW's, I dont know what to do when the money runs out.

PandaPants_2

Tell him to get round as many agencies as possible, they often take people on for immediate work on short-term contracts and can often get a call for a temp on very short notice. If he lets them know he can be there at say, an hours notice he might get lucky.

lauradora

oh i'm really sorry sass, and you were doing so well! hugs for you xxxx

Gemmzie

Contact Tax Credits straight away, the tax year is nearly up so hopefully if you're owed anything for this year they should pay it pretty sharpish.

Get him to sign on straight away, it's not a lot but it helps.

Work out what has to come out in March and what could be delayed, not paid if applicable.

Sorry to hear this Sassa, it's a crappy thing to happen

Sassamac

Thanks guys,
I wondered about signing on but is there a certain length of time you have to be unemployed for, or can he do this week?
We are owed a backpayment from tax credits. They have told us we will get it in May when the income figures for this tax year are verified. Ita bit gutting to know that theres 2 or 3k sitting there waiting for us that we cant have yet.

He did sign up with several agencies when he was initially made redundant but most of them never offered work or soon gave up. Will remind him to give them a nudge. The agency he is currently with have a job in mind for him so hes hoping to have an interview this week. If he gets that job, it might only be 3 weeks or so til the first pay day.

loveandlight

Have you checked you're getting everything you are entitled to? Try www.entitledto.co.uk

Have you tried using money off coupons towards your shopping at Tesco and Asda? You don't have to buy the items mentioned on the coupons. We save loads and loads of money using them every week. Nip over to the discount thread, all the info you need is there.

Believe me, I understand the stress and strain you and your OH are under. We are in a similar situation.

Sassamac

Thanks LandL, not that I would wish this situation on anyone but its nice to know were not alone. Where do you get the coupons from? I get the free Tesco and Somerfield magazines every month, never noticed any Tesco coupons in there and the Somerfield ones specifically say 'do not embarass your retailer by presenting this against any other item etc.' Will look for that thread though.

Still in a bit of dispute with tax credits as what theyre giving us is nowhere near what entitled states, but at least its better than it was.

loveandlight

I have sent you a pm;)