Dear Alma, The school I teach at cancelled my health insurance

From our agony aunt:

Dear Alma,

I have been part of a school for many years, teaching pre-college students. Recently, they called me in and told me I am no longer eligible for health insurance. This is devastating for many reasons, and I can’t afford private insurance. I have a family to take care of and my wife has a part-time job with no benefits. I am feeling desperate. There is a job opening to teach at an elementary school. Should I apply? It’s not for music and I would have to go back to school.

Desperate

Dear Desperate,

This is truly a terrible moment for you, and it is good news that you are taking this seriously and urgently. I would do two things immediately. Investigate the change in benefits and look for a new job for both you and your wife.

Investigate your benefits: take a close look at your contract, have a follow up meeting with your school to find out why they cut your benefits, and consult a legal professional. Your contract may have something in it which could protect you, or at least give you a longer window to reorganize. Your job may not be obligated to give you benefits, but there could be a way for them to add more duties to your workload, or even change your job completely so you would qualify again. I have several acquaintances who were able to move from teaching into administration and they are quite happy. Seeking legal advice is always an option.

New Job: Both to and your wife should start to apply for new jobs. These can be in your current fields or in a new direction. Your top priority is protecting the health of your family. You can always take a job that isn’t ideal for the immediate future, then go from there. I have a friend who answered an open call for a tech job, total long-shot. He had been a freelance musician his whole life. Now he has a 9-5, a completely new career, new friends, and a stable income.

Desperate, work with your wife to find a solution that is solid and fast. There may be a new opportunity right under your noses.

Questions for Alma? Please put them in the comments section or send to DearAlmaQuery@gmail.com

The post Dear Alma, The school I teach at cancelled my health insurance appeared first on Slippedisc.