Money Troubles

As with many others I've seen posting on this site, I am really struggling to find a job.  I have permission to work in the UK and I'm very well qualified for the roles I'm applying to, but I'm being turned down almost instantly without even the opportunity to interview.  I'm sure it's some combination of employers' uncertainty about how long I'll stay, not having previous UK work experience, the current state of the job market, etc...  

Anyway, rant aside, I have a small sum of money from being made redundant in the US before moving here, and withdrawing my (tiny) pension, which will help for a few months, but my husband had to take a pretty substantial pay cut late last year and is making about £400 less a month than needed to pay the bills.  I'm very concerned that it's going to take longer than anticipated for me to find a job and we are going to really struggle to make ends meet.  

Does anyone know if there is any sort of financial support available to US citizens outside of the US?  I was drawing unemployment from the Texas Workforce Commission before I came here, but I don't think they would continue to pay unemployment benefits to someone who is no longer a Texas resident (please correct me if I'm wrong!).

I appreciate any advice anyone has... Thank you!

I'm sorry to hear you are struggling.

Have you had a professional review your resume and turn it into a CV?  It may also help to state that you have permission to work in the UK.  Unfortunately a lot of people hit the roadblock "no UK experience."  You need to ease their fears with that.

I hope things turn around very soon!

Hi KFdancer, thanks for your response.  My resume has been converted in to a CV.  I tailor it and my cover letter to each role I apply for and my cover letter specifically states I am authorised to work in the UK.

Your suspicions are correct about unemployment.  There really isn't a way for you to claim unemployment benefits if you don't live in the US. Unemployment compensation is provided on a state by state basis, and if you're not residing in a state, it isn't possible for you to claim.  I'm sure you can imagine the issues surrounding US citizens being able to claim benefits while not living in the US. I'd imagine a lot of kids would pick up and move out of the US if they knew they could get some financial support from the US government.

Unfortunately your best bet is to try to reduce expenses or increase your husband's income. Can you move to a cheaper house?

Sorry to hear you are having a hard time. The employment market is indeed tough. What is your background in, professionally speaking?

There's lots of free money and debt advice services in the UK to help you manage your money better:
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/tools/debt-advice-locator

You can also search money / debt advice on your local council website or contact CAB.
https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Have you tried volunteering to get UK work experience related to what you do / what interests you?
https://do-it.org/

Or joining professional organisations? What about profession specific job boards?
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Also:

Reduce food waste:
http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

Energy saving tips:
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/

If you feel up to seeking out some professional help with your money issues, it might help to feel a bit more in control.

Thanks everyone for your insight.

mapleleafgirl72 - I will check out the links you provided.  In response to your question, my background is in Legal (I'm a certified Paralegal) and Supplier Management.  I was a Vendor/Supplier Manager for a number of years for a large US bank.  I've been reaching out to the banks here, hoping to leverage that experience, but so far they're not giving me the time of day.

I'm feeling a bit discouraged but not deterred!

I don't think they would continue to pay unemployment benefits to someone who is no longer a Texas resident (please correct me if I'm wrong!).

Perhaps it would be worth checking with official Texas sources? I was reading a bit last night on it and it seems you may be able to continue collecting when you relocate to other states.

I would look at joining the paralegal professional organisations:

especially the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives:
http://www.cilex.org.uk/

National Association of Licensed Paralegals:
http://www.nationalparalegals.co.uk/

Institute of Paralegals:
http://www.theiop.org/

Prospects and The National Careers Service will list paralegal specific job sites.
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/chartered_legal_executive_training.htm
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/paralegal.aspx

Northamptonshire County Council also list money / debt advice services:
http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/community/social-fund/pages/money-and-debt-advice.aspx

Can you do some volunteering to get some UK experience onto your CV?  Sometimes having the word Town, County, England (or Scotland or wherever you are) on the CV makes all the difference. 

Tough job market, hopefully you'll find something soon. 

I know it may feel like time is a luxury you don't have with money worries pressing, but from your past posts it looks like you've only been in the UK since January? That's really not very long. It can take quite a while to find a job, but for most people it happens eventually. Don't get discouraged after only a month!