Progress is Hurting Me..
I worked my butt of this year hoping for a promotion but I got substantial raise after my performance review last month instead. The extra take home pay is a blessing but I just found out that my yearly gross income after the raise disqualifies me for the daycare assistant subsidy I had prior to finding this job. According to the help program I’m making too much money. The program accounts for gross income not net or take home pay so I’m over by roughly $200 and some change. I checked with family services they told me I could apply for a grant through the agency that covers some cost but not the same help I was getting with the federal assistance program. Now I, have to come up with 80% of the cost of childcare or $475 per/week. That’s way more than I take home every week, raise included. I’m better of being unemployed! Caught a glimpse what could have led to a better life for a moment but now I'm back to square one. Is there a way I can negotiate exchanging the raise for a daycare benefit with work. Anyone have any experience doing this? I’m an office admin at a small real estate company but management has been very good with me in the past and I might be able to persuade then to help me out if I can come to the table with some formidable options. How can I make this work so I won’t have to give up one (my job) to maintain the other (daycare)?
Do those HELP services account for supplemental income? Find out if that's outside of the qualification criteria then check if your company will adjust the raise to show as a lump sum yearly bonus payment.
It's sad sometimes the way the system can work against you when you're trying to get ahead. Ask your company about a flexible spending account option where you can enroll for a maximum yearly amount of dollars (some are up to 5K per year) and get the cash up front to pay for the services then have weekly or bi-weekly auto deductions taken out of your pay to pay back the advance. It called a flex spending or family health spending account. No matter what try to stay encouraged and keep moving forward!!
That's a lot of money for daycare. Can't you find a less expensive service in your area. Check with the salvation army or other social services in your town for a cheaper option with the same or better services.
I had a coworker in thr same situation. Just cut your hours back a week and you should qualify again. And you may not have to cut your hohrs back much. Your leadership should be able to work with you. Good luck!