I got laid off today.

[maple25]

This crisis has hit home. I (used to) work as an Environmental Scientist. I have 2 degrees. I worked my ass off to get where I am. When I finished my Master's last May I had to take a job paying less than expected because of the economy. I couldn't consolidate my private loans, which had paid for my Bachelor's, because of the economy. I moved across the country, to an area where I have no family and no friends because the job offers were slim. But I still thought it would be ok. I was wrong.
I was laid off Friday. I had the least seniority so I had to go. I had to immediately clean out my office and pass my clients to other scientists in the office. I'll get paid through February. That's my severance. No f@cking golden parachute here. My health care will be canceled on the last day of the month. Did I mention that I contracted Lyme's Disease on the job last summer? And that the Lyme's has given me inflammatory arthritis? At 26 years old? Did I mention I lost my partner of 3 years because I moved across the country for this f@cking job? Now I'm stuck here, where I have no family for support and no job. How exactly am I going to pay my private student loans? My federal loans can be deferred but not the private ones. They don't give a flying f@ck that I have no job. That I might be returning to the days when I was an undergrad and ate Ramen so I could afford to get my dogs their food. What am I supposed to do if I can't find another job? Where's my f@cking bailout??

[tavalon]

1. I'd suggest you go home to family and friends

If you have no network there, it makes no sense to stay there.

I'm so sorry about the loss of your job. I hope you are able to get another soon.

[Not Me]

5. Agree with tavalon, seek out your network

I made the mistake six years ago of moving after a layoff in the hopes that the market would be better in a more robust area. The job search took almost 18 months...fortunately I had some resources to fall back on, and NYS unemployment was(is) more generous than most. I like my job, but jumped into an area where I had few contacts and friends. I wouldn't suggest it.

[shrike]

21. Yes, that's the problem with the "pack up and move" advice I often see on DU and other boards

If you go to a brand new place where you know no one -- even if there's a job waiting for you -- it will be rough. People who've never done it before have no idea what it's like to start over: I've done it, three times. Like you, I wouldn't recommend it.

[raccoon]

31. IME, often when you pack up and move to take a job, there was something wrong with it.

Such as, the job was so sucky nobody local would take it. The work environment was so bad nobody local would take it.


YMMV.

[shrike]

32. That's a good point. And a good assessment of the situation. n/t

[Art_from_Ark]

33. Good points

I got a job like that once-- the pay was very low for locals ($120/week), and even though room and board were offered, accommodations were pretty spartan. But it was at least worth it for the experience, and to travel around a very interesting part of the country on days off.

On the other side of the coin, some jobs might be so technically challenging that the employer can't get any qualified applicant from the local area.

[izquierdista]

2. Send me a PM

Welcome to the club. I got the axe 5 years ago, and have been coping ever since. They didn't use "the economy" as an excuse, at that time it was "downsizing". You were probably told that those 2 degrees made you more valuable; now you see that 2 degrees makes you unaffordable to an employer.

[Donnachaidh]

3. I certainly hope you filed a report to Worker's Comp about the Lyme Disease

If not, I'd see about doing that IMMEDIATELY. Don't walk away until the problem (and the future problems) from the Lime Disease are addressed.

[WePurrsevere]

7. I absolutey agree with this. They should also get a WC lawyer as well..

it's going to probably be needed.

[MADem]

9. If one can be found who works for free...it's hard to shell out for lawyers when you have no job. NT

[WePurrsevere]

30. My DH had a WC case. Those around here are paid a percent

up to a certain amount IF they win. Similar to Soc Security lawyers, they won't take your case if they don't think they can win and help you, you don't need to have any money up front. Like so many others, if we had to pay upfront there wouldn't have been a case.

NYS has regulations about this and I'm guessing many (if not all) other states do as well. It certainly wouldn't hurt to talk to a comp lawyer or contact the state's Comp board and find out how to do things in one's own area.

[Kookaburra]

10. Definitely file Worker's Comp

If you haven't already, and don't let them cheat you out of one penny for treatment for that disease contracted while working for THEM.

[maple25]

14. Well,

It won't do any good. There is debate in the medical community as to if Lyme's has on-going effects after being treated with a round of antibiotics. Add to that that you have to wait 2-3 weeks after being bit (without treatment) to be sure if you have the disease. I said F that and took the antibiotics the second I found the tick. So I'm screwed in that case.
As to the moving where my family is, I'm stuck in a lease until May. And no, my landlord won't let me out of it. But thanks for the support everyone.

[1776Forever]

16. For future reference if the lyme disease symptoms get too bad to work.......

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY (SSD), SSI
AND APPLYING FOR BENEFITS WITH LYME DISEASE

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/social-security-disability-lyme-disease.html

(snip)

...even though lyme disease is not a recognized disorder in the social security administration's impairment listing manual, it becomes especially important for lyme disease sufferers who are applying for disability benefits to do the following, which is simply to : make sure their various treatment sources (doctors, counselors, even physician's assistants) understand how important it is that the medical records and treatment notes that are generated for them include not only a diagnosis, prognosis, and objective observations (vitals, muscle strength, reflexes), but also include "descriptive" indications of the functional limitations they are experiencing as a result of lyme disease.

In other words, if a lyme disease patient is suffering neurological deficits that result in a loss of coordination and balance, this should be noted. If a patient is experiencing a decrease in grip strength in addition to an overall loss of muscle strength, this should be noted. And, certainly, if a lyme disease patient is experiencing mental deficits that lead to memory lapses and disorientation, this should be noted also (even when a disability claimant does not specifically allege a mental impairment, the limitations that result from such an impairment can be considered on a claim---as long as a patient's treatment sources have recorded this information for SSA to evaluate).

Why is this issue (having well documented records) so important? Simply because too many doctors keep progress notes that are "nondescriptive", or, sometimes, even useless. In fact, it is not at all uncommon for a disability claimant, or that claimant's lawyer or non-attorney representative, to request a doctor's medical records and find that the doctor has recorded very little information from each office visit---and hardly any information that was useful from the standpoint of successfully winning an SSD or SSI disability benefit case.

..........

Best of luck to you -
:hi:

[shrike]

22. May is three months from now. (I can't believe it! But that's off-topic.)

That's not a long time. Go to your unemployment office, get that squared away. I'd start making plans: since you're going to have to stay put for three months, you might have to swallow your pride. Anyone you can borrow money from? God, I know that's hard to think about, but .. .

Look, I've been in your shoes. I was lucky enough not to have any student loan debt (I'm old enough to be your mother, so I graduated back in the time it was possible to get through school without debt) I lived off credit cards, robbed Peter to pay Paul, scrounged for change to buy rice.

I can predict with confidence that you'll make it, because if a schmoe like me can land on her feet, someone with your education and obvious smarts can do so, too.

[glowing]

4. Hang in there.. Environmentalists, my own degree, will be coming back in style

in the meantime, see if you can teach.. community college or highschool.. with your science specialty, your a dime a dozen.. or at least sub for now. I'm assuming you'd now qualify for medicare or something? I'm not sure.

[kstewart33]

6. Go home.

Try to find any work that you can there, part-time waiting tables, whatever.

This nightmare will end. Wait it out, work while you're waiting, and keep the faith.

And while you're waiting, don't be surprised if the guy next to you waiting tables is in the same nightmare mess that you and millions of other people are.

[MADem]

8. Home is where you go because they have to take you in.

Cash out, sell everything you can, find a roommate situation (if you are stuck where you are at) where you rent a room while you collect unemployment. Find out if you can get your unemployment if you move to another state--I know an airline worker who was able to do this. If you can do that, cut your losses and move home.

Start economizing NOW.

If you live in MA, they give free healthcare to the unemployed. You might want to check your home state to see if there's any safety net health care.

Contact your loan providers and TELL them you're having trouble, that you've been laid off. Don't default without a peep. Even if you only pay ten bucks a month, pay SOMETHING. Show "good faith."

We've got three unemployed in our extended family, and one "underemployed." Ya gotta pull together.

It's going to get worse before it gets better. You'll know it's bad if fashions change--ladies will cover up and wear longer dresses (hey, you can't go half naked when the heat is turned way down). Clothes get heavier when people get poorer--it's a pretty accurate corollary. Who remembers those maxidresses from the starving seventies? Nixon was at the height of his nefarious power, and ladies began wearing dresses to their ankles and "trouser suits" aka the now-famous (or infamous) pantsuit: http://www.fashion-era.com/1970s/1971_1972_fashion_designs.htm

As for the partner you lost--it wasn't meant to be. With or without this situation. If you really cared about each other, you would have found a way to keep it going. Someone would have "made the sacrifice"--either you, by sacrificing the job, or the partner, by following you. Be grateful you don't have someone else to support, on top of yourself!

Good luck. It does suck.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

11. MADem is right. Mass takes pretty good care of its workers. File for WC and unemployment now.

You can always rescind your claim if/when you move back to your family, which is probably a good idea.

There are a lot of friendly DUers in the greater Boston area. I'm sure none of us would mind if you PMed us to vent or to ask for advice or whatever. Hang in there, friend. If we all stick together, we'll make it out okay.

[Arctic Dave]

12. I'm not sure what you do, but if you are willing to travel and

don't mind the cold, oilfields in Alaska need enviromental workers. Check it out

[TBF]

13. Call your family. When my brother got laid off I invited him right away.

He stayed where he was for 6 months living off unemployment and savings, trying to get a new job (this was the mortgage meltdown in CA two years ago). Finally he put his stuff in storage and came to stay for a couple of months. Got a new job, apartment (used to own a condo - that provided the savings cushion), and my kids got to meet their uncle. He still lives in our city and we now get to see him frequently.

[PassingFair]

20. You are an incredible sibling...

he must be, too.

:hug:

[TBF]

23. Charity starts at home, right? When we start to view each other as brothers/sisters it only gets

better. No one should be worried about where they are going to live, eat, or work. Those should be givens.

[2Design]

27. wow you are nice family to have - your brother is probably grateful n/t

[1776Forever]

15. First Sorry to hear this - Next - I suggest going back "home" - We all need each other now - More...

As far as your student loans go to this site and take a look - A lot of people are in the boat with you. This site was founded to get the Student Loan mess cleaned up: http://www.studentloanjustice.org/

Keep an eye on the stimulus package and demand help where you can get it. I know from experience with my 38 year old son with no minor children who became chronically ill 4 years ago that a single person must fight for benefits! Don't give up and get help where and when you find it!

I wish you the best and even though you will probably have to change professions for awhile if you keep vigilant you might be able to find something with the new infrastructure package.

By the way if the Lyme disease gets so bad you can't work file for SSD immediately - the Stimulus has help for that too!

.................

Stimulus Proposal Offers Payments, Aid To People With Disabilities
By Michelle Diament
January 16, 2009

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2009/01/16/stimulus/1715/

• Medicaid: $87 billion for a temporary increase in the Medicaid matching rate for states.

• Independent Living: $200 million for the nation’s Centers for Independent Living.

• Vocational Rehabilitation: $500 million to states to help people learn skills and gain employment.

• Job Training: $4 billion for programs providing worker training.

• Teacher Quality: $200 million to provide incentives for educators.

• National Institutes of Health: $1.5 billion for biomedical research.

• Social Security: $500 million to reduce backlogs in the Social Security Administration’s claims and appeals processes.

:hi:

[barbtries]

17. one thing

if you contracted the disease on the job you should be covered by workers' compensation. i suggest talking to a lawyer.

[asjr]

18. I am so sorry to hear of this. And it

really doesn't help to know you are not alone. There are many in my neck of the woods who are going through the same thing. You do have youth on your side. I had a nightmare one night where I was looking for a job and no one wanted me. I was too old. I am facing moving into a nursing home and I cringe when I think about it. My body may be old but thankfully, my mind is not.

[wildflowergardener]

19. This happened to me 14 years ago

I moved out of town to take a job where I knew no one, signed an apartment lease (I believe) and got laid off 3 months after I took the job. (after they worked me many many hours of overtime, btw). It turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me in hindsight. I managed to get out of my lease, moved home to my parents house for awhile and was able to find a better job eventually at home where my family was, and save money to buy a house.

Even if you have to pay a fee to break your lease, I bet that you might come out better in the long run if you can go home than pay your rent until May. Since you have lost your job, they may give you a break - you never know if you don't ask (I don't know if you have) This is no time to be in a place without support.

I was awfully upset about this years ago (during the last recession) but it ended up being better in the long run, though I didn't know it at the time. I agree on the workers comp issue - though don't know a lot about how it works.

Editing: Don't forget that I think you can deduct moving expenses on your income taxes - at least you used to be able to - I don't know if it was because I'd left town for a job but I remember I was able to do that - it helped a little with the expenses.

Edit one more time: I do want to express my sympathy - I am very sorry you lost your job - it's not a good thing - it just turned out better for me in the long run - every time I got laid off (It happened twice around that time period) I ended up getting a better job in the long run - you know every cloud has a silver lining, though it didn't seem like it at the time.

Meg

[marybourg]

24. Call your State Bar Assoc. and ask for a lawyer

who specializes in Worker's Comp and who will give you a a free consultation. There are special provisions for legal fees in Worker's Comp cases and a specialist in this field will be able to tell you in the first consult whether you have a reasonable case. Good luck

[Berry Cool]

25. Damn, I am sorry.

I know the feeling. I wish I knew what to tell you. Except to keep from losing heart and to believe in yourself.

[barb162]

26. File for WC anyway just to get your paperwork in there.

If you find later you have no problem, you can write to them to close the case. It's way better to get the case on file. This may not make you feel any better, but I know people who get no severance at all and they work for an employer a few years. Companies are getting tighter about severance every day. Like the others here, I'd suggest going back home and pay your three months rent ...maybe get a sublet?

[2Design]

28. Mass does have a good support system compared to others and good unemployment

you may be able to salvage this in the three months - probably first thing to do - go do something fun for a weekend or week to clear your head and heart - then start looking for a job - substitute teach science - contact all community colleges and regular colleges to teach part time - see if you can teach online - for immediate you can probably sub in k-12 - unemployment agencies can help too

This really may be a bright light for you since you are young

[nostalgicaboutmyfutr]

29. You always have a job....

My dad once told me that I always have a job....either th job I like/doing what I want; or the job of looking for, improving, and preparing for that job.....

Just tody I saw a pizza delivery guy in a lexus....I pointed it out to my wife.....

You will do fine....how many times have you thought, in the past, that things were absolutely terible or srwed up....then with some time, you found out they were not that bad....you will get through this....

[Xenotime]

34. I hope for your best. Hang in there. Things will change.

[snappyturtle]

35. This is what I do when big decisions have to be made:

Make a list.....two columns...one for staying where you are and one for going home. Then make another with the disadvantages of each. It helps and at least you'll know you've made a reasonable decision. I am truly sorry you have lost your job.

I've had long periods of Ramen in my life and am only hanging on by some good luck. During those periods I 'pampered' myself with walks and re-reading favorite old books after doing all I could that particular day to change my situation. It helped give me the strength for the following days.

As far as the private loans go unless some sort of collateral was attached what can they do? Threaten to ruin your credit? So. Join the millions of others. I'd give the creditors your good faith for the future and let go of it. What do they expect from someone in your unearned situation? Maybe your creditors will write it off. Don't beat yourself up!

Good luck to you and please keep us informed.