Monthly Expenses Prioritization Table

EXPENSE	HIGH PRIORITY FACTORS	LOW PRIORITY FACTORS
Alimony/Spousal Support	Ex-spouse depends on payment for necessary living expenses + is currently facing utility shut-off/mortgage default/eviction due to nonpayment	Ex-spouse has sufficient assets to maintain necessary living expenses
Car-Related Expenses (loan, insurance, gas, maintenance)	Primary vehicle, necessary for work/strike duty/family obligations Facing lapse of insurance policy Gas expenses only for work/strike duty/family obligations	2nd vehicle Not necessary for travel Gas expense for travel unrelated to work/strike duty/family obligations
Child Support	Pre-existing levy on wages Risk of arrest Applicant has filed for a downward modification	Applicant has not made any effort to modify support obligation
Childcare/Tuition	Alternate care cannot be arranged through Childcare Committee Child will lose spot if payment is not made; demonstrated effort to consult with school regarding hardship	Coverage possible through Childcare Committee Tuition payments can be delayed/installment agreement option
Credit Cards	Minimum payments	Non-minimum payments
Food/Grocery	Description of reasonable efforts to reduce grocery expenses, where possible	High restaurant expenses
Housing	Insufficient funds to pay rent or mortgage (does not need to be at the point of eviction or foreclosure risk) Homeowner’s insurance policy at risk of lapsing	Homeowner’s insurance where escrow can cover without lapse in policy Real Estate taxes where escrow can cover w/o risk to HO of lien sale
Internet	Insufficient funds to pay monthly bill	Alternate access readily available and sufficient (e.g. cellular, free wi-fi)
Laundry	Self-wash laundromat costs Dry cleaning necessary for work clothes	Drop-off laundry services Non-essential dry cleaning
Life Insurance	Facing lapse in policy	Within grace period
Medical	Necessary out of pocket expenses (**members will be expected to repay fund right away for any portion insurance covers later) Necessary medications Guardian COBRA payments	Non-essential expense
Pension/403(b) Loans	Facing default / conversion to withdrawal (serious tax consequences) All payments after the first month of strike	Pre-default, where it is possible to make a single month’s payment in month 3 and avoid serious tax consequence.
Personal Loans	Documented serious consequence for nonpayment AND documented effort to negotiate lower payment	Consequence for nonpayment only increased interest rate No effort to negotiate lower payment
Phone	Facing default of contract	Non-essential land line that can be cancelled without penalty Extra elements of plan that could be adjusted to lower levels
Public Transportation	Necessary for travel; not covered by the Union	Metrocards available from Union
Storage Unit	Insufficient funds to pay monthly bill (not necessary to have auction notice)	Grace period or other ability to delay payment
Student Loans	Documented effort to seek deferment/forbearance to make payments as low as possible	No effort to seek deferment/forbearance
Tax Debt	Documented denial of request for collections hold or forbearance	No request for collections hold or forbearance
Utilities	Insufficient funds to pay monthly gas or electric bill (does not need to be at the point of shut-off) Water or sewer bill if facing lien sale (must seek repayment plan) Water, sewer bill already in repayment plan	Arrears without payment plan or other attempts to reduce monthly obligation Water, sewer if not facing lien sale
Other	Expenses where member can demonstrate necessity and efforts to reduce where possible Non-essential expenses that can be eliminated, suspended, or reduced, for example:	Cable only funded if it’s reduced to lowest possible amount AND it’s essential for internet service (e.g. package plan that can’t be decoupled) Gym membership (unless medical necessity) Media subscriptions Vacation expenses Luxury expenses