Husband being made redundant

[letsnotscaretheneighbours]

My husband is a Chef. He has been put on notice of redundancy. He finds out on Friday. If he loses his job we will be £1100 short on our bills every month. I feel sick, and very stressed.

If my business completes (I work in property) then I get commission but its the wrong time of year and covid so I'm frightened we're going to struggle hugely.

Plus he has 3 children he supports and I don't want that contribution to stop, but it is significant and I don't know how I'm going to cover that, our mortgage, all the bills and eat 😭

He has already started applying for jobs (he was told Friday, and started applying Friday) but who knows what will happen in a covid Christmas.

Think I just need someone to tell me it'll be ok and to breath.

I'm sorry op. It's shit, especially at this time of year.
What about advertising on social media about cooking for people in own home or doing some sort of take out facility? My cousin started this and now has a really successful business and employs over ten people. I hope it works out for you op

@letsnotscaretheneighbours

I would also check with your mortgage provider as it's them who will report to Experian et al. I think it would be really unfair for it to appear as arrears because it's not!

@mummmy2017 she doesn't work, so that's moot and we can still pay her December, it'll be January on if we can't and even then that depends on my commission of which I'll know by December 3rd whether it'll be a problem, but as soon as he's been informed officially I will be talking to him about telling her because I'd want to know for budgeting purposes too.

OP, is he going to get any redundancy money? Up to 30k is tax free.
He should get jsa(I know it is tiny, but still) and cut off/significantly reduce child maintenance until he gets another job

Bit random but there's an app called olio where you can request free surplus food near you.
Some is personal donation but a lot is from tesco or pret a manger.
You can also train to volunteer and then keep up to 10% of the tesco collection, plus whatever doesn't get requested by anyone else.
I like it because it reduces food waste but it does also save money and make you feel useful to volunteer, or even to collect because it's reducing carbon and water footprint.

Obviously it won't fix all the issues and I hope your husband finds work soon.
It might help with grocery bills in the meantime.

The mortgage holiday doesn't show as arrears and doesn't have a negative effect on credit score- taken from Santander

Agree that mortgage holiday does not show as arrears (as it isn't arrears per se)

Food retailers and online companies will need seasonal staff for Xmas

Your employer will be able to exercise discretion about the mortgage holiday, even if it does show as arrears

Lots of good tips from PP.

I would think employers would be really positive about employing a chef as I would have the impression they are

• hard workers
• used to long hours
• used to unsocial hours
• used to being on their feet
• wouldn't be wanting too much money

I would also know that they're being made redundant through no fault of their own.

Obviously depends where you are, but in my area Amazon, delivery companies, supermarkets etc. are desperate for workers starting today until Christmas so that would give him income for 6 weeks. e.g.
www.amazon.jobs/en-gb/landing_pages/warehouse-operative
(In my area Amazon provide subsidised buses from nearby towns/cities too so no car needed)

Fingers crossed for you all.

I would check re your work and not being able to have a mortgage Covid payment holiday.. I also work in finance and have a regular work credit check. Mortgage payments holiday wouldn’t flag on this as they are not be allowed to flag as detriment so shouldn’t affect your job.

@Avidreader12 have checked and although I would have to report it to them you're right it wouldn't impact my job. Thank goodness.

Thank you @thalassoma he has applied for a number of jobs over the weekend and today has arranged some interviews this week, so hopefully he won't be out of work long- for his own sanity.

@SuperLoudPoppingAction that does help and I appreciate your advice.

For anyone who has commented. Truly many thanks. I feel a lot more calm and positive now.

Keeping my fingers crossed for positive outcomes in his interviews this week.

How awful for you, I reckon he could reduce his maintenance to kids, and the ex get more in benefits.
Wishing him well with interviews

@Nsky

How awful for you, I reckon he could reduce his maintenance to kids, and the ex get more in benefits. Wishing him well with interviews

Child maintenance has no effect on benefits therefore benefits would not increase because CM stops or is reduced,

Can the ex not get some work to support their kids?

@Nsky as someone pointed out child support is on top of benefits

@2kool4skool I don't know whether that is possible. She is her eldest child's carer. Besides that if we can keep her child support going I'd like to try. I've been a single parent and its tough financially.

Just keeping my fingers crossed something comes of the interviews this week.

Wait until you know if he is actually redundant or not first of all. He might be fine...

He could make a start up business delivering meals he makes.

@Horehound I think its a given, but we may be jumping the gun. He is still going for interviews this week as back up. We're both one of these 'prior preparation' people and are no good at limbo, so I think him having a job to go to would do wonders for his mental health.

Sorry only read the first part of your thread so apologies if it's moved on. My partner is a redundant chef and for now is working at a covid test centre. Not great money but more than benefits and lots of jobs available.

Thank you @NeedToKnow101

And the shifts are four days on, four days off, it's not a zero hour jobs (in London anyway) where you are at the beck and call of your employer. Seems to be supervisor roles too, which are obviously paid a bit more.

Very wonderful to read that you have genuine care for his ex and children. You must be a lovely woman and I am wishing your family well.

I'd sort the credit card out now before the redundancy (I did that and was accepted instantly but if I hadn't, I assume I wouldn't have got a 0% card).
I've also had help with the council tax when I've been made redundant before. I think they gave me 2 months off if I remember correctly.
This redundancy I've dropped £2500/ month (although I no longer have mortgage or rent payments so that has helped). I have to keep a constant eye on the account and really plan ahead as to what is due to come out for the month. Lockdown has sort of helped in that we can't really go out and spend money but it is tough.
I took the payment holiday on the house we rent out and a loan we have. That money has been put into savings and I try not to touch it. I know both have a knock on effect with the interest for the future but right now it's about getting by.
Good luck and keep focused.

@blisstwins don't know that I'm that lovely, but I feel a moral responsibility.

@LifeBeginsNow my brain is whirring that much I'd forgotten about sorting the credit card. Thank you for the reminder.