Widows & Widowers Support Group
This community is dedicated to those who have lost a husband, wife, or partner. Anything is open for discussion here, with the hope that we can focus on grief, bereavement, life after loss, and continuing on after a great loss.
To all my friends here on DS,I need your prayer's and idea's in way of a decision I have to make,As many of you know I lost my husband Pat on 8-1-11 to a massive heart attack,I also lost his dodge ram the same day and lost our home that week too.I really never have had to work much,but now since it is me and the 2 kids(son 23 autistic mild) and 16 year old daughter,I really have to get a job,we are barely getting by on the ss for my daughter and the ssi my son gets.I just don't want to live this way,My husband made good money as a truck driver but we were stupid and didn't put any money up or have any life insurance on him.So now to the question,the only jobs that are open in my general area are medical,I did work as nurses assistant when we were first married,the pay back then was 3.35 an hour and you didn't have to be certified,now the pay for TN is like 10.00 a hour but you do have to be certified.Should I at 48 years old go take the classes (assuming they are free or at least cheap) and try to become a CNA or should I just keep praying something like a sales job comes open and I get it?We worry about money constantly,right now we do not even have a stove to cook on.We get 1700 a month and 120 in stamps and that's it,by the time I Pay everything we have 138 left for the entire month,so when I say I need a job I'm not kidding,Any advice would be great. Blessing's Mary
Here are some thoughts:
Are you eligible for Widow's benefits under your husband's Social Security? If you are that might ease the situation a little....
Community residences for individuals with disabilities(Developmental Disabilities, for instance) sometimes hire staff who do not have CNA certifications and will provide necessary training as part of the employment. If you already have some background in caring for people this might be an avenue to employment.....these programs are always looking for at least Relief Staff and that is sometimes a way to get started.....
Community Colleges, if there are any accessible, often offer programs of study specifically designed to help people get skills and then employed in a field,,,I think they have CNA type programs too.......I think...you are 48 years young,,,,,,Not only the income but having a career might be something that helps you feel better.....
Maybe keep your options open...try to get your CNA or something similar AND see if there are any sales positions....sometimes sales positions are for PT or seasonal work......sometimes restaurants like Starbucks and stores like Trader Joe's offer some medical benefits as part of the employment.....
Other things that might 'stretch' your budget until you expand it with your new income from work:
...are there any Community dinners given by churches in your area...there are in our town and everyone attends them, not just folks with $ issues...they are real community events.....
...our church also will modestly assist people if they are in need of some extra cash for something
...food pantries can extend the supplies you have
...our town also has a 'Give and Take Shop with clothes...although everyone in my Crafts Group tells me that they get a LOT of their clothing at the Salvation Army
I am a big advocate of Crock Pot cooking! I have devised many interesting things!! Soups, using tag ends of veggies.... stews, roasts &veggies (can use inexpensive cuts) , pulled pork,.....It's easy and nutritious...maybe could find a working one at a Yard Sale...??
I am rooting for you for a good resolution, something that meets your needs......hugs and a prayer....
look into everything you're entitled to. If he put money into employment insurance or a pension, then you can receive survivors or widows benefits. I receive $1200 a month from the government, and will for a really long time. It is a portion of what he would have made every month. My family allowance has also gone up and I receive rent subsidy which is $600 a month on top of that.
Inmemoryof hattie covered everything I would have suggested!!
ALL GREAT advices to you! I would say that going to get your certification if you can would be a GREAT thing to do! It would also give you a leg up in finding a job too!
Also do look into the widows benefits if you are 60? they are DUE you and hopefully will help?
Sedning hugs and hopes that it all works out FOR ALL OF YOU!
Diane
MJ
CNA can be hard work but while you are doing that before you get older look into programs like Xray technician or ultra sound technician they are in a shortage of them around PNW...
Another thing to look into is if you are renting low cost housing - if you know your area there are some available in safe areas....we have a little town of 1,700 with low cost housing based upon your income...
While you are in school they have programs for student workers...they work you around your school schedule...and pay pretty good also...
Good luck and prayers coming your way..