Financial Challenges Support Group
This community is for people who are struggling to meet financial obligations of any kind. Financial challenges include everything from the day-to-day challenges of making ends meet to managing credit card debt to bankruptcy. Get support from others who are going through similar obstacles on the road back to financial stability.
I think this is going to be a vent, if you guys don't mind. I haven't been on here for awhile, but I'm so glad you are here. I feel like giving up-I can't deal with any more bad stuff. This is what's been going on. As I mentioned quite a long time ago, I have lupus, fibro., DDD, breast cancer (in remission, thank God), lymphedema from the cancer surgery, a blood disease called LCH, and problems caused by a TBI I suffered in a fall last May. I have been unemployed since May, 2008. I am 60 years old, which isn't a great age for finding a new job. I didn't apply for SSDI because, honestly, the disability payment would be much less than the unemployment. Have had very few responses from job applications, and no interviews. I have been trying to live off unemployment, which ends in 3 weeks. That has been hard since $700 of it goes right to COBRA and the 12 prescriptions I a on. Not much left for anything else. Had to keep my house temp. no higher that 55 degrees in the winter, and use no hot water, in order to save on oil. Because I was on unemployment, I was told I had enough money to live on, so was unable to get food stamps, medicaid, or any other services.Even had a case worker from the Office of the Aging, and she told me the same thing, though she didn't agree with it at all. It didn't matter that all my money was going to medical stuff. Because of all this, I was unable to pay my property taxes for the past 2 years. Because I had a home equity line of credit (which was closed last week), the bank has taken charge. They said they were going to pay the taxes for the past 2 years, and I would make payments. That sounded good, or so I thought. Well, the payment plan was for me to pay $1460 a month, in addition to the $400 I had been paying on the line of credit. I told them that if I had that much money to spend each month, I wouldn't be in this mess in the first place. There is absolutely no way I could do this. So they said they'll get back to me. I am so scared they will kick me out of my house. My house was reassessed and is worth practically nothing. So even if I sold it, after paying off all that I would owe the bank, I'd have nothing to find another place to live. I've got no family here, and I've borrowed from everyone I could, including churches, etc. I am going to apply for disability when the unemployment ends (cant have both) and that would help with my medical expenses, but the wait is so long. I have no idea how I would exist except to live in my car or something. Before I lost my job, I had no idea I would ever be in this situation. I worked hard, even with my illnesses, paid off my house, raised my 2 kids alone, and was feeling so good about myself. Right now, I feel like such a loser, and just don't know what to do. I'm sorry this got so long, and I really appreciate that there is a place where I can vent like this. Thanks for listening, and God Bless all of you. Kathy
Let the bank take your house, it isn't worth anything and rent a room.
Go the food bank and get some food.
File for SSDI and SSD - they are two different things. Make an appointment at the Social Security office, they will help you fill out all the forms.
Be sure you tell them your unemployment is running out. Take your stubs with you, they will look at them and figure it all out.
They are very helpful.
Also, I agree that as soon as your unemployment runs out your should apply for SS disability right away Here in my state it takes anywhere from 6 mos to a year to get approved and the appeals process can take just as long too.
If you need help on your utilities or oil you could do a google search and see if your state offers a heating assistance program like HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) out here they help once a year to pay either summer or winter utilities
Also are there any support groups in your area that you could look into that can help someone overcoming illness? Is there a way that your kids could help you w/ maybe one bill so that you could catch up on other?
If you have a United Way in your area you could also see if they have any services that could help you. Also if there is a Salvation Army or St. Vincent's DePaul in your area they are good about helping people depending on the services offered in your area.
Your local library might also have some programs too.
I'm really sorry to hear that you are going through a really rough time right now You're NOT a loser, you're just overwhelmed and are trying your best to overcome a difficult situation.
Good Luck to you and keep us posted
All the best :D