Laid off...do I call Attorney?

[bam531]

Hi all, We are a year into a 5 year plan, and I was laid off on Oct 30. Here is my question...should I contact attorney? The unempoyment I will be drawing is about what I would bring home ( paycheck) every week. Considering the gas I would save and lunches. The only thing that will hurt us is no insurance. I have not yet called to check the prices of insurance. Should I wait till I see how much I will be out every month, or should I go ahead and call? The last time we had to meet with trustee was to get payments reduced due to low hours at work, and that took 2 months to even get that meeting, not to mention it took a month to get payments started. Hopefully I will be back to work in January. Any ideas? Thanks!

[AngelinaCat]

Yes, you need to call the attorney first thing. You have no guarantee that you will be back to work by January. And your COBRA health insurance will be VERY expensive. I was laid off October 1, 2007, and have only had a small PT job since. Our monthly payment for 'Hub and I is/was $885.21 for the coverage we had had through my job. Just today going through the COBRA paperwork, I found that our monthly payment has jumped to $953.74 effective Oct. 1, 2008. (We had pre-paid in Jan. 2008 from an annuity that we get each January).

Good luck to you!

[Flamingo]

Whenever you have a change in circumstances that affects your income during a Chapter 13, contact your attorney immediately. Your plan is based on a certain amount of income coming in and if that amount goes higher or lower, your attorney needs to be informed.

[bam531]

Thanks for reply! No, there is no way we can do COBRA. I am checking at maybe some local companies for just some type of insurance if we were to get hurt or hospitalized. Thank goodness for Food Ciy and Walmart and their generic prescription plans!! Hubby's meds will only cost us around 40 bucks a month for all 3 that he takes. Plus we have a local Dr that only charges 50 dollars for an office visit with no insurance. Just don't want to be stuck with no insurance if something drastic happens!!

[NowImDownInIt]

I'm worried about my health insurance more than anything too.. I am pregnant and laid off so things are about to get tough.

[BROKENN]

Hey, I had twins on COBRA. Not to hijack the thread, but I got laid off when pregnant with twins, but didn't know it yet. Luckily 1 month later I knew and set the priority. By the end of the year, I had 1M in Dr/Hosp and it was all covered. We paid COBRA first and then everything else during that time.

Right now, no insurance. Hoping DH gets a job soon with benefits.

I wish you both better times to come.

[AngelinaCat]

Thanks for reply! No, there is no way we can do COBRA. I am checking at maybe some local companies for just some type of insurance if we were to get hurt or hospitalized. Thank goodness for Food Ciy and Walmart and their generic prescription plans!! Hubby's meds will only cost us around 40 bucks a month for all 3 that he takes. Plus we have a local Dr that only charges 50 dollars for an office visit with no insurance. Just don't want to be stuck with no insurance if something drastic happens!!

If you have no pre-existing conditions, then yes, you can shop around for insurance.

BUT, if you or a family member covered under your former plan, have a pre-existing condition, then you will have no choice but to do COBRA. And you must wait and pay for the full 18 months before you can transition into a personal health insurance plan. Otherwise you will be turned down.

Good luck to you.