Brother out of work - what would you do?

Immy · Nov 5, 2011

My older bro (53) has fallen on hard times like many in this country. Lost his low-level security job in July and hasn't gotten a job bite despite massive online applications and networking. Got turned down for unemployment (both initially and after an appeal), has been able to sell things to cover his bills till now, but that's run out and he now faces losing his apartment.

No family members are in the position to help financially or provide a roof. At the end of Nov he will be out of options. I suggested Welfare but he keeps delaying it, anticipating an employment breakthru that I just don't seen on the horizon. Just too many people are in the same boat in this city. Plus he's an introvert and has no real network of friends that could offer assistance.

I don't know what else he can do, and thought perhaps others that have gone thru this may have ideas. How long does Welfare take to get going? It may be his only option.

dances for eels · Nov 5, 2011

Pack up and head for North Dakota; bring some good winter clothes.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/28/pf/north_dakota_jobs/index.htm

fistfulladirt · Nov 6, 2011

Sometimes you have to move to where the work is. China?

olroy70 · Nov 6, 2011

Lot of work in West Texas....... Mostly oil field, including truck driving..........

FarmerChick · Nov 7, 2011

Is it just your bro? no wife and kids?

I understand family can't help financially BUT usually someone could put him up on the floor if needed....a roof usually is available, even if a bit cramped. I know it is not ideal, but no family of mine would go without a roof in any case, under any circumstance. I would MAKE room!

he might not want assistance now, but in the end when there is no money point blank, he will have to sign up for something I would think...and keep dogging the want ads. Sad state when work is so scarce. ugh

welfare does have alot of restrictions but he should check it out.

best of luck to him. It sure is getting scary out there for many many people.

diggemall · Nov 7, 2011

FarmerChick said:
welfare does have alot of restrictions but he should check it out.

Don't know about other states, but here in WI they look at HOUSEHOLD income to determine eligibility. In other words, if he's living in the home of someone who has income, he may not qualify. (They don't care WHY he is living with you - ain't that a hoot?)

Diggem'

packerbacker · Nov 8, 2011

There must be some underlying reason he was turned down for unemployment. They can't just deny it without reason can they? Same questions as others; other family members, any kids involved? I also agree with "cousin" farmerchick (never know

), no one in my family would ever need a roof.....EVER!! Not looking to turning this thread into a tear-jerking party but, I remember as a kid, my parents split up and my pregnant mother took me and two brothers and a sister to Wisconsin where my grandmother and aunts and uncles lived. No one there seemed to have room for us so my mom had to put my 2 brothers and me in St. Joseph's Orphanage in Green Bay until after the birth of a third brother and she could get us a place of our own. It's a well-healed scar now but it's still a scar. Is your brother a vet? If so, he can look at usajobs.gov or just go to the VA. The VA is a network of "brothers", (Not blood like you but still brothers) and they will help if they can. Where does he live now, geographically?
I remeber, many years ago, my brother and I were looking for work and, in the meantime, we painted houses, inside and out, for various realestate offices. Especially now, with a lot of empty homes, realestate offices or even banks, may hire him to do yard work or handyman chores. Heck, even McDonalds has a record of hiring "older" workers. With school in session this time of year the students aren't available for full-time work. Walmart and other places usually start hiring holiday workers around this time also. Gotta get proactive and try to keep a positive attitude. Easy to say but that's just the way it is. I wish him luck....LOTS of it.

Immy · Nov 8, 2011

Dang, thought I had covered all the bases. Let's see...

- No children, but two cats who pretty much are his kids, they go where he goes, no exceptions. I'm allergic so I'm not an option.

- No other immediate family in this part of the country.

- Travel/relocating is NOT an option, at least until he gets some money together. But he does have eyes on Texas.

- Yes, he's an honorably discharged vet but he hasn't explored that angle yet. Separated in 1983, Air Force, six years.

- Unemployment was denied to do their zero tolerance policy on a minor infraction (nothing illegal). Nine years on this job and he's out. Even the appeal people said it was pretty harsh.

- Health-wise, he's okay but he refuses anything involving manual labor (getting the picture?) ::)

- His enthusiam for finding work was at breakneck speed initially, now he mopes and is very "woe is me." His timing couldn't be worse!

Thanks for all the feedback! Keep it coming!

diggemall · Nov 8, 2011

Immy said:
Dang, thought I had covered all the bases. Let's see...

- No children, but two cats who pretty much are his kids, they go where he goes, no exceptions. I'm allergic so I'm not an option.

- Health-wise, he's okay but he refuses anything involving manual labor (getting the picture?)

- His enthusiam for finding work was at breakneck speed initially, now he mopes and is very "woe is me." His timing couldn't be worse!

Just lost a fair amount of sympathy..........

I went from 90K a year to unemployed 10 years ago. (Advice: get along with EVERYONE - you never know who your next boss will be !) Now working harder self-employed for a fraction of that income. Would like to bring in more than I do, but it's just not "in the cards". A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, and choosing to do nothing ain't an option !

Diggem'

packerbacker · Nov 8, 2011

Immy, if he is around you, he is near Hoover Dam. They have Federal security jobs there. Heck, they have tons of security jobs at the casinos but even a small infraction could keep him out. They do have cathouses though.

Immy · Nov 8, 2011

packerbacker said:
Immy, if he is around you, he is near Hoover Dam. They have Federal security jobs there. Heck, they have tons of security jobs at the casinos but even a small infraction could keep him out. They do have cathouses though.

Not only is he around me Mike, he's in the same complex.

And you're right about the security jobs, plus there were a bunch of new TSA openings at the airport that he just spaced applying for. The picture's getting clearer huh? He's in panic mode now only because it's coming down to crunch time. Reality's gonna have a rude wake-up call unless he gets his arse moving.

packerbacker · Nov 8, 2011

At age 53, he could work a Federal job until he's 67 and get a little 20-year retirement after putting his 6 years in the Air Force towards his Federal service. The retirement window is closing fast though.

packerbacker · Nov 8, 2011

here's one
http://www.usajobs.gov/JobSearch/Se...as,+nv&SelectedRadiusOption=20&search=Search!

here's a list of 134 available in the Vegas area. Note the one on here for "Motor Vehicle Operator" He can drive can't he?
http://www.usajobs.gov/JobSearch/Se...as,+nv&SelectedRadiusOption=20&search=Search!

Immy · Nov 8, 2011

Thanks a bunch Mike! I'll pass this along to him.

mikeofaustin · Nov 9, 2011

Immy said:
My older bro (53) has fallen on hard times like many in this country. Lost his low-level security job in July and hasn't gotten a job bite despite massive online applications and networking. Got turned down for unemployment (both initially and after an appeal), has been able to sell things to cover his bills till now, but that's run out and he now faces losing his apartment.

No family members are in the position to help financially or provide a roof. At the end of Nov he will be out of options. I suggested Welfare but he keeps delaying it, anticipating an employment breakthru that I just don't seen on the horizon. Just too many people are in the same boat in this city. Plus he's an introvert and has no real network of friends that could offer assistance.

I don't know what else he can do, and thought perhaps others that have gone thru this may have ideas. How long does Welfare take to get going? It may be his only option.

I was in his same position a few years back. Things have picked up since then... and this is the most ironic thing ever... but, now that I'm looking for people, I can't find them. IT's horrible. I first went to the government website and browsed throught the online resumes, contacted a few people but never got a word back from any of them.

Come 1 or two months from now, I'll be needed $10 an hour people to do warehouse tasks. I know the pay is crap, but, I can't even find those people right now. We currently have two felons working for us right now... and we are probably the only company that will give a high school drop-out felon an ability to get back on track... Heck, we're even paying for one of them to get online courses.... (although he's really dragging his feet and doesn't seem to 'want' to get back on track... go figure)....

Not to steel your thread... but we told him that if he gets his GED, we'll up his pay to 15 an hour. And yet, he's never there.... never shows up for work, etc. He'll leave for a smoke break and we won't hear from him again in two days.

Immy · Nov 9, 2011

mikeofaustin said:
I was in his same position a few years back. Things have picked up since then... and this is the most ironic thing ever... but, now that I'm looking for people, I can't find them. IT's horrible. I first went to the government website and browsed throught the online resumes, contacted a few people but never got a word back from any of them.

Come 1 or two months from now, I'll be needed $10 an hour people to do warehouse tasks. I know the pay is crap, but, I can't even find those people right now. We currently have two felons working for us right now... and we are probably the only company that will give a high school drop-out felon an ability to get back on track... Heck, we're even paying for one of them to get online courses.... (although he's really dragging his feet and doesn't seem to 'want' to get back on track... go figure)....

Not to steal your thread... but we told him that if he gets his GED, we'll up his pay to 15 an hour. And yet, he's never there.... never shows up for work, etc. He'll leave for a smoke break and we won't hear from him again in two days.

No worries Mike, it's totally relevant. How many Occupy people probably have the same mindset. It's what happens when the Nanny State creates so many dependant people.

rginn · Nov 10, 2011

Stay away from that welfare deal. Jobs aren't that hard to find, if you can relocate to where the work is, you can get one pretty quick. You may have to lower your sights and settle for a menial position to start, but in this part of the country if you have a good work ethic and show up everyday, that will put you on the fast track to advancement. The thing that bothers me is he doesn't want anything to do with manual labor. (Does he think that's the President of Mexico, or what?) Sorry, we don't need any 'advisors' or 'consultants'. It is your brother, so do what you can to help him out, and I would do the same thing were he mine.