no social security yet-i have no more ideas

[sunnybunny]

  still no social security date yet.

Its been a horrible struggle just for the basics.
my parents cant help us anymore like they have been
so graciously-they're tapped out.

I have no more ideas,we have nothing left to sell. nothings left.

I've tried to apply for every and anything assistance wise and we dont qualify.

Dont know what to do but pray to God for a miracle.

The stress is eating me up and making me sick.

I'm lost, and have no ideas

[stephL]

Suddenly having to live on a tight budget is an adjustment for sure. Are you more concerned with reducing your expenses, getting assistance, or maybe both? If you tell us more about your living situation and what your most immediate needs are, we can brainstorm to help you come up with some ideas.

[waterbby100]

Sunnybunny,

I don't know what area you are from  but many times there are food banks that will give food to people in need and sometimes the DSS will help with Electric bills especially if there are children in the home. Some of the local churches have charity programs to assist people in getting through tough times. Many times you can get a list of the local food banks from social workers or from agencys like UCP or other Social Service type orginizations.

I am a Community Support Staff for people with Disabilities mostly Developmental Disabilites and we see these situations all the time. There is almost always help in the community you just have to know where to look for it.

Good Luck to you and your family,

Kimber

[sunnybunny]

thanks for being there-'brainstorming' would be great right now.
well,i'm in arizona.
the situation is,that my husband works,so we dont qualify for alot of things i tried already.
my husband cat get anything on the side,part time. jobs are scarce enough here
and people are fighting for them as it is.
Its been 2+ years of living under the fear of the sky falling.


already belong to a local food bank,and thank god for them-they give me a limited
number of emergency visits,and I use their program where u purchase $15 of the reduced price meat they offer, you rcv free produce,juice,and pantry items.

I can stretch the food,but we are falling short,and falling behind.

recently,tires had to be put on my car-(the treads were splitting open).
i have to be able to take my daughter to school.

we cut out anything frivolous long ago.-no going out,no new stuff.
just whatever can be found at the thrift store and goodwill.
which isnt so bad, i actually find it fun to go 'treasure hunting' as i call it.
we dont have cable-thats been shut off because its not important.
I have an angry 4 yr old, but she'll get over it.

I have cut out and cut back everything i can think of-
keeping us in medical insurance, Rx's,and doctor copays each month almost
equals what we pay for a 2 bedroom apartment.

we are on a timesaver plan with the utility company,but behing with that bill
narrowly avoiding shut off each month.

always behind on our car payment for the last 2 yrs,and only have 1 1/2 yrs to go
and its paid for.

to have it reposessed at this point would put me over the edge.

We cant get a credit card-not that it would be a good idea to begin with.
we had a bankruptcy aprox 4 yrs ago.

A school friend i recently got back in touch with belongs to a church we really want to
start going to, but its across town.
no extra gas,poor tires,and me feeling lousy lately have put that off.

I Pray alot. ALOT for God to point me in the right direction.
I'm not too proud to take help, i just havent found enough in the obvious places so far.

brainstorming would help! lol

[Meld256]

Dear sunnybunny,

I can really relate to the situation you're in, and it is so stressful!  Just what we don't need more of, right?
Last year, while waiting for my SS disability, we were in sort of the same situation. My husband was working, but his income couldn't keep up with our rent and expenses, even though all our bills were pretty low.

So, let's see: you belong to the food bank, so that's good. Do you qualify for food stamps, by any chance?

Some cities or towns have private community programs that may help with utility bills, or rent/mortgage. Just a thought to check into; it might take a little calling around.

Would trying to refinance your car payment be of help? Possibly if it didn't make the payments much more drawn out.

One bit of real help might be to check some of the online Rx options.  I found some of these with help from all the kind people right here.  One in particular is Rx Outreach.  It's a non-profit, the income guidelines are fairly high, and I noticed they have a couple scripts you have listed for yourself: gabapentin for $30-$45 for up to a year supply!  And Topomax for $65 for a 6-mth. supply.  You may be able to really reduce those meds costs with something like this.
Others to check out are needymeds.org and Xubex patient assistance program.

I hope this helps somewhat. I know how tough this all must be on you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. 
Melinda

[sunnybunny]

am getting list of charities to start calling.
refinancing the car payment isnt an option-we got 0% financing.lol
dont qualify for food stamps.already checked into that.
will definitely check the Rx assistance programs you mentioned.
thanks!

[Meld256]

I hope this is of help.  Yes, call those charities; sometimes there are some very helpful programs.

No, guess refinancing the car won't work at 0% 
Another Rx assistance is through patientassistance.com. You set up a free account and it takes you to many drug manufacturers' programs.  Xubex seemed too good to be true, but I checked with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and they have a stellar rating.

Good luck!  We're all hoping for the best. Keep us updated, ok?

[Meld256]

Just another quick thought...with your SS case, have you written your local congressman/woman about this?  Sometimes that can be a help.  I was amazed that I called mine, and got a letter in a few days saying they were looking into my case.  I got an update from them a few months later, and then a letter from them telling me they heard of my approval.  This was about a week before my approval letter from SSA. 

I was really impressed, and of course, I then wrote a thank-you letter to them about their assistance. My MIL laughed and told me she didn't like that guy, (wrong political party in her view) but now she'd changed her mind about him. 

[stephL]

Call 211 for your state referral hotline, or you can visit their site and browse through the services and non-governmental agencies that might be able to help.  It sounds to me like you need more food assistance. You may be able to get donated clothing and household items, and free or reduced fee dental or healthcare. It's time to plan for your holiday meals and gifts for the kids this year, so ask about getting on lists for Adopt-a-Family programs. They can only accept a limited number of applicants every year so apply early.


The phone company offers discounted land line service called Lifeline, it's pretty easy to get too. I've also heard that discounted or even free cell phone service is offered too. For internet, do you have Clear in your area? You could also consider getting dial up from a company like People PC for around $12.00 a month, it's slow so you have to be patient, but better than no connection.


From the Hillybilly Housewife, this is a $45 emergency menu that feeds 4-6 people. Not all of this might be appropriate for a sick Mom but check out her site for frugal living ideas and recipes.
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/40dollarmenu.htm


Here's another frugal living site. They offer a big forum community with many articles on different topics.
http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm


Give some serious consideration to eliminating the car payment and the extra insurance (Collision and Comprehensive) that is required by the finance company by selling your car and replacing it with an older model car. You only need liability insurance to stay legal on the road.


Hope some of these suggestions are helpful, Sunny! Hang in there!

[sunnybunny]

thanks everyone for your quick replies.
it is very helpful,and reassuring to know you're there.

[eyeamdry]

Good suggestions and I know you are using many of them.  I used to be a "credit counselor" for people who had too much credit. Our agency was non-profit and we counselors had to take a state test to do this work.  It's been quite awhile ago, but I was going to see about stretching out the car payment, but at zero interest....however, if your payments are high, it might be worth stretching the payments out to give some leeway.  You can always pay it off earlier.  Definitely no more credit cards--good point on that.

With a young child are you eligible for WIC in your county?  That's good solid food for families with young children.  If you need any medical equipment to use, try borrowing it from a social services agency.  We have a great senior services agency and I don't really think you have to be a senior to borrow equipment.  I borrowed a shower chair years ago when I had a broken leg.

Try buying or trading DVD's or CD's or whatever kids use these days.  With no cable at 4, she'll get over it.  May have to be until she can buy her own. lol.  Try signing up with "Recyclers" that are in every area.  People who have things to give away or people who want things and they are matched on Recycling.  I have gotten great, like new exercise equipment.  they have clothes, toys, all kinds of things.  You can give too.

When did you apply for your SS?  I think the soonest one can expect an answer or a check is 12 weeks.  That is the very quickest and maybe for easy cases.  You can call your social security representative and ask how things are.  Are you able to provide some child care in your home for awhile?  A neighbor kid who needs watching after school, etc.  Good luck.  Lucy

[sunnybunny]

I have a lawyer for my case, i am at the appeals point.

i check with them regularly,and they tell me they have what they need.
The court calendar is backed up, but i've been assigned a judge,and have to just wait for a date.

12-15 months they say from when u file an appeal...i'm at about 11 months now.
Its so disgusting that people have to wait this long.

I never imagined i would be struggling this much at my age.ever for that matter.
and be so backed into a corner and unable to do anything about it.
Its killing us-and the worry isnt helping my health any

when we bought the truck we took the payments at 70 months to get a low payment.
cant stretch it out any further than that.

i have looked,but havent found anything so far but it would seem
there would be a great need for an agency that gives help specifically to people
strung out to their limits waiting for social security.

thanks eyamdry for the suggestions.

[eyeamdry]

Red Cross may help on utilities on a one time emergency basis, or the Salvation Army.

[Patty]

Have you tried United Way? The one for my county offers some emergency assistance programs and also will connect you with any local organizations etc. that offer assistance.

[Meld256]

I agree. It seems there would be a great need specifically for those waiting out for SSA approval.  I felt the same last year; at my age I thought I wouldn't be in such a desperate state financially.  I'd worked hard all my life, so it didn't seem quite right.
Unfortunately, sometimes things happen we don't plan on. It seems life can really throw us some curveballs.

I know this is such a difficult time for you. Please remember we are here, we care and we understand.  We'll hope for that hearing date to come soon!