Job Search

Today, I had an orientation meeting at TWC for the WIA program. This program assists people in furthering their education, by paying for courses in select career fields. Lucky for me, the line of work I'm looking for is one that is covered by the program. Next step is to set up an interview for an "intake appointment" - which pretty much is a one-on-one meeting to determine my eligibility for WIA. Unfortunately, they are completely booked up until the week of June 23 for intake appointments, so it'll be a while until I find out if I can do this. I am planning on going to a different TWC office this coming Tuesday, in hopes that they might not be quite as booked. Also, during today's orientation, I realized that since that TWC office is in Collin County, the schools they'd use would be different that the one I'm visiting on Tuesday. Since the college I'd prefer to take classes at is in Dallas County, I need to visit a TWC office in Dallas County, to make sure I'm in the right district.

I had a meeting with my DARS counselor yesterday, to create my IPE (Individualized Plan for Employment) and go over everything I've been doing in my job hunt. I mentioned to him that I was planning on going to the WIA orientation, and he agreed with me that attempting to get into the WIA program would be beneficial to me. If I'm unable to get in, though, it looks like DRS would be able to assist me in tuition, etc. I'm more than a little nervous about the idea of going back to school, but I know that getting a Certificate in Accounting would assist me in my job search, and would look a lot better on my resume than just a high school diploma. Even though I am nervous, it's also kind of exciting, knowing I'd be able to "improve myself" via additional education.

After weighing the pros and cons for a couple of weeks, I finally decided to go ahead and elect COBRA coverage while I am unemployed. That would allow me to get the previously mentioned synvisc treatments for my knees, as well as into my general doctor for some help treating insomnia that has been plaguing me lately. I filed online to elect COBRA benefits on May 2nd, and my $700 check for 2 months premiums (April and May) was sent in the same day. I was waiting for the either 1 week to pass, or the check to clear before making any appointments; mostly because I didn't want to have to pay full price for any doctor appointments up front, and be reimbursed later for them.

Back when I was released from my job, I had been apprised that when the plan for our company was terminated, our COBRA benefits would be attached to the new parent company's plan; giving us a full 16 months of possible COBRA coverage. I also knew that the switch would happen when there were few enough employees left at our old corporate offices to warrant the cost of our insurance plan.

Today, I received two notices in the mail. One from Comp, stating that the plan was going to roll over to GB's plan as of June 1st. The second was the package from our COBRA plan administrators, with the info on the new plan we are being switched to. Currently, my monthly premium for COBRA is $353.43. The new plan, through GB, is going to cost $600.72, per month. There is no way I'll be able to afford an almost 2x increase in the cost of COBRA benefits.

At least I have coverage through the end of this month, although that's not really enough. That should be enough time to allow me to get in to see the doc about the insomnia, and get a prescription filled if I need it. Since the synvisc has to be pre-approved, and requires 3 weeks of shots, there won't be enough time to take care of that prior to my current COBRA period running out. I've also been having some issues with my tendonitis flaring up, but I'm doubtful I'll be able to get that treated completely by the end of month. I need the coverage, but I just can't afford it. Like I said, I knew we'd be switching plans, I just didn't realise that my cost would almost double over what I was under the assumption that I'd be paying.