I have posted here before and gotten tons of great advice from everyone. It seemed like we were doing a little better. Christmas for our 3 girls was bought and taken care of, (not a lot, just 3 or 4 presents each. Since, our two youngest are 16 months and 5 months ,they mainly got board books cheap!) and I even had a little extra money and was thinking of adopting an angel from the local angel tree. Then, I find out that my heating assistance hadn't gone into effect and I had a cutoff for 180 for my electric. The man came out to turn it off and I begged him to let it stay on and promised I would pay it right then over the phone - which I did. I have a paypal debit card that is attached to our checking account and I can use it a few days before dhs paycheck is directdeposited. Anyways, the man turned it off even though he knew I had two small children in the house and even though I had just paid the bill over the phone. Said he had to wait for an order to turn it back on. My electric wasn't turned back on until exactly 24 hours later. I was so mad! Lucky we had gas heat. So my babies didn't freeze. Not only that, but Friday dh called to tell me that his student loans were garnishing his paycheck. $75 a week. I have been sending them payments for the last year and a half and only recently been running about a month behind. So, without any notice they are now taking 300 a month from us. When we were struggling before! I now have to figure out how to make it on a paycheck of $260 a week. It just seems like every time we are almost about to crawl out of the hole, something happens to shove us even farther down! I am really getting tired of playing the "survival" game. Kwim?

Thanks for letting me rant.
Stephanie

I am sorry you are having to deal with all of this.

I am sorry!

I am sorry that you have had to deal with this. Over here, the electricity company can't turn your power off if you have kids, Im sorry that doesn't apply there too.

I'm sorry your family is going through such a rough time right now and I hope things start looking up for you soon. I *thought* the electric company couldn't turn the electric off if you have very young children either.

I'm sorry.
Why not check with your local churches or township to apply for food assistance?
Apply for low-income housing?
You're in my prayers.

around here, if the conditions are extreme (hot summer months, cold winter months) they aren't allowed to turn it off period. kids or not. you may want to check on that if this ever happens again.

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this.


I didn't think the electric/gas companies could turn off the power if they knew you had small children, you might want to check on that.

Also, a company just can't garnish your wages without telling you. There is a process they have to follow in order to be allowed to legally garnish someone's wages---such as a court order. You may want to check with the legality of what they are doing.

Sorry for your woes. I have also heard that here in Maine, during the winter season, they cannot turn off the power if someone is making an effort to make some sort of regular payments. Maybe make a few calls and clarify some things and it will look better tomorrow? Thinking good thoughts for you!

Sorry to hear about your troubles. :hugz:

In Michigan they can turn off your gas or electric unless you are on lifesaving equipment.

I thought there had to be a court order for garnishments?

i think you're right. when my brother was trying to get custody of his daughter, his ex wife was ordered to pay child support and his court costs. she didn't pay and his lawyer was going to have to go to court and get a court order to garnish her wages. so i dont see how a lawyer would have to get one yet the student loan people wouldn't. you should prob. check on that too.

Hi all! I was always told and thought myself that if there were small children in the home that they would wait and not cut off the electricity. Apparently that is just an urban legend. Around here, anyways. My husband called og&e which is our electric co. later that night to find out when our electric would be turned back on. The c.s lady told him they had until 10:30 the next morning to do that. He said, "so I'm supposed to just wait and let my children freeze?" a little dishonest, I know, since we actually have gas heat, he was just making a point. The c.s. lady said "what you choose to do with your children is your decision". I am not exaggerating. That just sounded so cold and rude to me! And with the student loan garnishment, I also thought you had to have a court order or some advanced notice but apparently that is not the case. I checked on the gov. website and then called to verify. Since it is a government loan and he signed a promissory note (which of course you must do if you apply for a student loan) than they can start garnishing your paycheck after a payment runs 30 days late. No court order, no lawyer, no notice. Just like that. And that is the max that we have been late. I have never been later than 30 days and usually paid it much sooner. Oh well. We will make it. Moving to a cheaper house is really out of the question since we only have three more years to pay on this one and our payment is only 225 month. No interest, it is an owner finance deal. And they've been pretty understanding so far. I know we will be ok but I really am getting so tired of having to worry and stress all the time. I can't wait until income tax time so we can pay off some stuff and breathe a little bit. But the garnishment for student loans is legit, just fyi for those out there who have them. I think they have such a hard time getting their money back that they really hound the ones they can. My gosh, its just so hard to believe since we were actually making that payment! Oh well. Just six more weeks for income tax! Thats all I can think about if ya'll can't tell!

Happy Holidays!
Stephanie

Are they just garnishing what you would have originally paid for a payment?

Can you call the student loan company and get a financial hardship deferment? I have done this before. They gave me three months to get back on my feet.

have you looked into local food banks? (this would be the best way to save $ on groceries)

can you have a quick yard sale to raise a bit of extra $? (it's still warm here, i don't know where you are located?)

sorry for your troubles.. sending you a big hug

Sorry for your troubles. Hope things work out soon.

A huge hug out to you and your whole family! I know it's tough and then the whole holiday season on top of it! Sometimes everything just hits the :fan: I recommend posting your budget and checking out the other threads regarding budgeting and getting the most from your money. One suggestion might be to look for work stocking at WalMart or a grocery store for a few hours a night, that way DH can watch little ones while you are out and you will still have time to rest and be refreshed for them. I know it seems like the mountain just keeps getting taller - it will get better. Take care and best wishes!
Dianne

I'm sorry, I would get fired the first day on the job if I worked for the Electric Company and had to cut the power off in the cold winter to a home with small children. I just couldn't sleep peaceful that night knowing I had done that. We belong to a electric co-op here and they will work with you to keep from cutting your power off, no matter what the season.

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this, especially during the holidays. Sending big (((Hugs))) to you and your family. Hang in there sweetie, it will get easier and the load will get lighter. Blessings to you and yours.

Since I've had a student loan garnishment, yes they can garnish without any court order. Also, they can garnish the income taxes. So you might want to be careful about counting on that. They might not have time to get a garnishment in place, though. Have you contacted them to see if you're eligible for a deferment?

As for the electric company, they may have known you have gas heat so there was no danger of anyone freezing.

Wow, what a jerk the electric guy was! I am glad it got bak on the next day.

Are there any places you can cut back? Sounds like it is right to the bone, but sometimes you can find one more spot. Is it possible to earn some extra income? If you are a SAHM, consider babysitting some other children. That is how I supplemented on more than one occasion. Even if it isn't full time it will help.

Very best of luck to you!

Not sure where you live, but in WNY they can now turn off your heat source in winter for non-payment. The only way to get help for heat is through Social Services Dept. If they feel you qualify, THEY contact the gas co on your behalf.

An idea: to save you from a reconnection fee: since you can document when you paid and that it was the same time your elec was cut off, at least they should NOT charge you a reconnect fee. At least you should win that battle.

Please call Sallie Mae or whoever holds your student loans - they may not give a forbearance at this point, but maybe you can negotiate a $100/month garnishment instead of $300. It is worth a try.

And like the others said: go to food banks, create a little extra money on the side in the interim. Every little bit you do will get your student loan debt paid once and for all. What a great day that will be!!!

Hang in there - we're here for you.