Need some input and opinions

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-26-2005
Need some input and opinions
5
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 3:40pm

Hi, I have lurked here for the most part for sometime now, and always find helpful information. I need some opinions on something financial. Very briefly, my husband lost his job over a year ago(no unemployment now) and my teaching job is gone due to a reduction in force that happened last May. My unemployment benefits have now also run out. The only income is my substitute teaching wages($65/day). When I applied for foodstamps and medical cards in September of this past year, my children qualified for medical cards and we got $100 worth of foodstamps a month. With our income having dropped even more now, because of my unemployment running out, it would appear that all of us are eligible for the medical cards and foodstamps could go up substantially. Here is the complication....my teaching union and I filed a greivance about the loss of my job and we have now reached a settlement with the school and I am going to be awarded $5000 plus basically guaranteed that I will be called everyday to sub for the rest of the year. It is a horrible settlement that neither I nor the union were real happy about, but for a variety of reasons, like a sneaky superintendent, it is the best we could do. The problem is that this $5000 has to be put into my payroll check for retirement reasons. There is apparently no other way. I can choose to have it all at once on next week's pay, and probably be taxed higher or I can spread it out over pays as I wish and have it probably taxed lower. All of this will affect my foodstamp and medical card benefits. Should I just get it all at one time, and probably lose my benefits temporarily or spread out the pay over many pay periods. I am so confused and am not at all sure which is the best way to do it for my family. Thanks in advance for any input!

Lisa

Avatar for aerandel
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 4:16pm

Just a thought and I know this doesn't answer your question but I was suprised that your district pays only 65 a day for subs. I am a substitute teacher as well, looking for my first full time job, and I sub in two districts. One pays 85 a day and the other is 75 a day. Perhaps you could look into adding a higher paying district to your subbing agenda? Or will that mess up your arrangement with this district that you are currently subbing for? Just a thought!

Good luck!

                          

             

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-26-2005
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 8:39pm

Actually, $65 is pretty much the going rate for all the districts in the area. Ones that pay higher would require more driving, so I wouldn't really get that far ahead. I taught for 7 years before this, and substitute taught for 5 years before that. When I subbed before, subs made $40-45 a day. Can you imagine that!

I did talk to my union rep after I posted this, and he said there is no way my settlement should be taxed or subject to the state teacher's retirement system as it is a settlement over the greivance that we had filed. It is not payment for back wages or any kind of work persay. He says the treasure and super are simply trying to play games with us, AGAIN. He is going to pay them a personal visit on Monday morning and straighten it out. Hopefully he will get somewhere with them, as I don't want have to file another greivance and continue this fight which has lasted a year now. It is and has gotten very old and tiring.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2005
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 8:41pm
You should probably take small amounts each pay period -- you just do not want to jeopardize health benefits, food stamps etc. Too hard to go through all the reapplication -- plus, you would lose a whole lot in taxes and required retirement contribution if you take it all at once. Good luck with this -- did they put into the agreement that you would be the first person hired when they have money to fund the position you were rifed from?
Megan
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-26-2005
Sat, 02-25-2006 - 8:12am
Yes, I have a total of 3 years worth of recall rights, one of which is almost over now. So, I maintain 2 more years of recall rights, and should anything open up for which I am certified, then the job must be given to me.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2005
Sat, 02-25-2006 - 11:47am
Good for having the recall rights. Hard situation to be in tho -- but things hopefully will look up before too long as the economy picks up and more $$ go to the schools. At least that's what they are telling us in Calif.
Megan