Financial Challenges Support Group

MANY hugs to you lgdennen,

I'm very sorry to hear about your jobless and the problems w/ trying to get your unemployment benefits. Man, technology can be such a pain sometimes.

My best advice is if you can I would call all your creditors and see if they would be willing to work out a payment plan w/ you until your unemployment comes through.

You could also try your local Dept. of Jobs and Family Services right away to see if you qualify for either foodstamps, a medical card or WIC if you have small children. (In my state you have to have children 5 and under to be able to apply)for WIC). Depending on where you live, the appointment to meet w/ a caseworker can be either a couple days or a couple weeks.

Also, not sure if it applies everywhere but in my county they have emergency foodstamps for families or individuals in crisis. So some people can be approved in as little as 2 business days depending on the situation.

In addition, if you have a local United Way number like 211 you can call it and it can give you a list of food, clothing or shelter resources available for your area.

The Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul's are also good at helping families overcome emergency crisis' like help w/ the rent and utilities. The best time to call this places is now since most orgs have money to help families around the first two weeks of the month. The Salvation Army in my area also provides hot lunches from families in the late morning or the early afternoon

You can also try a Google Search for all the local food pantries, family resource centers, and if you have small kids Pregnancy Care centers w/in a 5 to 10 mile radius of your home, since most either help people from either certain cities or zip codes.. If you have a USB drive (thumbdrive) I highly recommend making a spreadsheet to keep this info handy, since it's really easy to update if any info changes.

Some churches also host Angel Food Ministries (angelfoodministries.org). Where you can order food boxes for I think $30.

If you don't have much access to the internet you could also try your local phone book if they still deliver. (In my area they no longer deliver phone books to save paper)

Most of the food pantries in my area are open early Sat. morning and some have evening hours during the week. It's best to call before going to help save on gas.

Speaking of gas, are you apart of any gas rewards program like Speedy rewards through the gas station or reward points from your debit or credit card? If so, I would look to see if you have enough points for either a gas gift card or a gas discount. If not, you could always check out a website called mypoints.com where you can earn points for free gift cards. I know that the gas gc's were popular in the summer.

If you need utility help you can try a Google Search and see if your state offers a Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) program. If your state doesn't have a HEAP program you could try to green your home as much as you can to save on utilities. Just by switching to energy efficient bulbs I've been able to knock off more than $60 off my utility bill. The energy saver power strips are also good too and helped save even more.. Recycling really helps me too, but doesn't pay much out here.

If you need money for like the laundromat, parking meters or the vending machine. Don't forget to check the couch cushions, the car and the laundry for loose change. It's amazing how much loose change can be found in one of those places LOL!!

Lastly, don't forget about the Dollar Stores like Family Dollar, Dollar General or Dollar Tree sometimes they are cheaper than Walmart depending on what you are buying and Family Dollar does take manufacturer coupons.

And speaking of coupons, if you have a Kroger store in your area or one of many stores in the Kroger family. You can also check out the website called Shortcuts.com which loads e-coupons directly on your Kroger's card. PGesaver.com is the same way.

I hope things look up for you soon. Good Luck! :D

Hugs from myself also...I found myself in a situation and I wish now that I had gone to a debt councellor sooner but I thought I will do it but the tricks some companies have done not funny and the harrasement and it started off with a nice letter are you having any problems ring us see if we can help yes right thats when my grief started wacking me with charges I didnt avoid them but they nasty and there seems to be so much of it going on..I went to a debt person who speaks for you and tells them to back off and its free well it is in our country just hard to get an appointment because there are so many people but I would so advise it if you are someone whose worried I use to have a go they do the letters the calls go through a help package I so wish I had done this sooner ..The other thing I did was a temping agency the place Im at are desperate for people and I ended up doing more and more work just an idea to try..The thing is try not to do the credit thing alone I tried Im quite strong and only behind in one payment but they can be harsh....All the best so many people are in this situation so your not alone take care

I think sweetpea nailed it about checking on all the resources. One thing I would add is to go to your Unemployment Commission and ask what they need from you concerning the pending issues. It may be something they can check on to tell you specifically what is going on. You need that money so pinpoint what the problem is. Talking on the phone is not enough. You need to talk to someone in person. This should get things going again. Good Luck to you. I have used many of the resources sweetpea mentioned and it has helped a lot.