We often hear “I need money now” for rent, food or bills – not an easy situation to be in. See our advice below.

Emergency Rental, Food, and Bills Assistance Programs

How to get help with rent?

At times, many families find themselves homeless, or unable to continue to occupy the premises of their choice. This may be due to fire, accident, storms or many other causes, but often it is merely a problem in paying the rent. Illness that forces a breadwinner to stay home, or loss of a job; any and all of these conditions can put a family in need of temporary assistance to tide itself over until the members of the family find themselves again in a position to pay their own rent without the need of subsidising or other rental assistance.

Agencies have been set up in many parts of the country to help in this regard. Non-profit organizations, these charities, such as The Salvation Army, as well as some governmental agencies are often able to offer emergency rental assistance for families who are being evicted by a landlord, or who simply have no way to pay their rent at the moment. Realizing that landlords, despite the old cartoon imagery of a rich greedy person feeding off the work of renters, the vast majority of landlords are not really making a profit at all on the current tenant. This is only a stopgap so that the landlord may pay the monthly house payments in the hope of some future profit if housing increases in value some years later. If the tenant can’t pay the rent, the landlord may soon find himself in the same position with regard to the lender. Lenders do not want to hear sad stories.

Although these different programs for rental assistance may be available, much depends upon the funding at the moment. Some programs quickly run out of money and are simply unable at the moment to provide further help to persons in need of assistance.

The vast majority of families in need of temporary rental assistance are those to be found in the low-income range; seniors, disable persons and children are among those most often affected. Others too, faced at one point or another with a temporary emergency may qualify for assistance in these cases.

In most cases, those in need of longer-term assistance, persons who have not been gainfully employed for a considerable length of time with not prospects for the immediate future may not qualify for rental assistance under these temporary emergency programs.

Those more likely to receive aid are persons who are able to convince interviewers of their willingness to do what is necessary to get back on their feet along with the ability to do so. Since emergency funding is considered a short-term “fix” for a crisis situation, the grants may be only issued for a few days, perhaps to defray the cost of a motel room, pending the applicant’s ability to find other lodgings.

Therefore it is important, in most similar cases, for the applicant to show the interviewer the imminent possibility to become self-sufficient.

Most non-profit agencies as well as other agencies attempt to work closely with rental assistance applicants to help them with any additional support as needed depending upon each applicant’s situation. Often applicants are further given counseling and referrals to other agencies that may be more helpful to an applicant.

In such cases, any additional services rendered are free to the applicant in crisis. This may include lack of employment and such other problems that may arise such as medical emergencies. Most agencies participate in these endeavors as well as teaching applicants the processes involved in applying for governmental programs, immediate rehousing and how to apply for Section 8 vouchers as well as information about low income housing, and assistance in paying the security deposits that are almost universally demanded by today’s rental market.

Since the goal of all similar agencies to to render aid to persons in immediate need of emergency housing and other crisis situations, the funds issued to applicants for rent or other necessities is only meant to allow the applicant extra time to deal with the emergency. However, at the same time, applicants will normally be provided with support in the long term to guard against similar future emergencies.

If you have an eviction notice or expect to be unable to pay the rent in the immediate future, or even realize that you need to find less expensive living quarters, now is the time to apply for assistance. Often with early application, money may be available to catch up unpaid rent as well as other options that may be explained to you.

Assistance may also be available to help with the security deposit, the initial rents and even moving costs. In some cities non-profit agencies may offer other emergency assistance to those in crisis. These funds are normally paid out on a one-time basis. Depending upon the location, resources that may be in place for housing crisis families can be wide-ranging.

Potential applicants are advised to find the telephone numbers as well as any other information available to them and educate themselves about the different programs that may be able to help with emergency assistance.

Not only non-profit private agencies, but many governmental agencies, are able to provide interim assistance, depending on the locality. Massachusetts has a program called RAFT, while in Texas a rental assistance program called TDHCA is available. Florida has a similar program called EFAHP and in Connecticut their program is called RAP. Many other government programs around the country also offer assistance to pay rent or a portion of overdue rent in their ongoing efforts to reduce the growing threat of homelessness in their particular communities.

Another program, called the Federal Stimulus Program is a little-known program through which our federal government provides billions of dollars across the nation to provide rental assistance for qualified applicants. These funds have become invaluable to families that find it increasingly difficult to keep up with the rising costs of rent and other housing needs.

HUD the Housing and Urban Development, agency works throughout the country as well. A number of families approaching two million are able to use this program, a program that can not only help those in need to pay their rent and/or security deposits, but HUD can issue vouchers to provide temporary housing as well as providing assistance to senior citizens and the disabled to keep up with overdue rental payments.

These programs not only offer grants to help pay rent, but the government Rent Voucher Program aids applicants to seek housing in the privately owned housing market.

These agencies can, generally, offer legal advice to those facing eviction. Every year millions of people receive free legal advice and assistance to educate them with the eviction process and their rights as well as responsibilities. The government provides funded Legal Services Corp. which provides attorneys who may mediate a solution between landlord and tenants in addition to advising tenants of their rights as well as help them apply for Section 8 or other assistance and another positive aid they offer is help and counseling on housing discrimination.

Counseling may also be provided to help applicants apply for government and/or private grants. Money is available for many of these crisis situations.

It is the goal of these agencies to prevent evictions wherever possible. The federal government as well as the many non-profit private agencies strive wherever possible to help applicants remain in their current quarters without the fear of being summarily evicted. Often these agencies are able not only to prevent evictions, but subsequent lawsuits that may be brought against a tenant. Alternatively, the agency may be able to find more suitable and affordable housing for an applicant facing eviction.

Many churches too offer funds that can help those in short-term financial difficulties. United Way and The Salvation Army are only two of the better-known charitable institutions that may be able to offer help when needed. Generally they give priority to those living in apartments and facing short-term financial crises.

A good number of other national and local charities are ready to help with the expenses of rent and other essential needs as well as providing case management and many other social services. No all charities have ready money all the time, but even those may be able to help by helping an applicant with information about other resources and assistance in applying for free grants to pay overdue rent.

Other agencies that often provide help might be, for example, Catholic Charities, Social Service Offices, United Way, the American Red Cross, the Legal Aid Society and as mentioned earlier, The Salvation Army. Aside from these examples there exist many other emergency aid agencies for those who are able to become informed.

While most of these programs provide only short-term emergency aid, they are designed for the most part to tide a family over until a longer-term solution becomes available. Often these same agencies will be able to direct qualified applicants to resources that may assist them in finding an apartment or house for more permanent security.

It is important however, during these times of crisis, to keep in touch with creditors and the applicant’s current landlord so they understand what you are doing and what you expect to accomplishment. It is important that the applicant be extremely honest with everyone about the situation and it may sometimes be possible to have monthly payments temporarily lowered, or even be allowed to skip a monthly rental payment. Other plans may be devised and put into place to avoid being evicted.

It is well-understood that not only landlords but other creditors too are much more willing to cooperate with persons who are up-front with them, honest in their discussions and show a willingness to cooperate and do whatever they can to improve with situations.

How to get help with bills?

Ask The Energy Company

if energy bills are the source of the hardship, then the energy providers’ own in-house programs are often the quickest way to help rearrange and meet repayments.

LIHEAP: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

This national program’s focus is on subsidies for repairs, weatherproofing and utility bills that families cannot afford to pay.

LIHEAP covers any energy related home repairs for low-icome families, including seasonal expenses like air cooling systems and winter heating bills. The local LIHEAP office is the first point of contact for those in need of energy or utility assistance. Eligibility varies from state to state.

WAP: Weatherization Assistance Program

The WAP is a federal grant organized by the Department of Energy that helps needy families improve their homes’ energy efficiency, and has assisted over 7 million households across many states, territories and Native American tribes since its inception in 1976.

According to the DOE guidelines, a household with anyone over 60 is eligible for the WAP, as are legally recognized disabled people. Most states make families with children eligible, and the website for the WAPTAC (Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center) can advise others if the grants are available in their area, and whether they qualify.

LifeLine Assistance: Free Cell Phones

Americans in need of a cell phone plan but without the means to maintain one can get assistance from LifeLine Assistance‘s free phone program. This is indeed a lifeline as daily life and business in particular is practically impossible without a mobile phone.

LLA is an FCC mandated scheme offering a free cell phone with at least 250 monthly minutes included. It’s available in the 49 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico, and typically requires a household income below 135% of Federal Poverty guidelines. For some states it is below 150%. Eligibility varies across participating states, with slightly different rules around qualifying income.

Other sources of help are available at state government level, or many national and local non-profit and charity organizations, and the energy companies themselves.

How to get Food For Free?

It doesn’t always require money to eat, and there are many ways to gain free food without adding to your debts or joining the 10% of Americans who have resorted to shoplifting. Ask people you know, or traders and restaurant and store owners.

Above all it’s important to explain why you are asking for food: because you can’t afford to eat. And not to be critical about what food you eat. Without a certain amount of money, there is no longer the choice of what to eat. So meat may become harder to get or if meat’s all that’s on offer and you are a vegetarian, it’s best to accept it with thanks.

Grow Your Own, Share With The Community

The most sustainable – and satisfying – way to provide free food for yourself is to grow it, and you can start with just seeds if you live in the country or with just a small space in the city. Guerrilla gardening is an interesting urban option, more organised community gardens and allotments can share space and expertise for growing, and seed swapping communities among gardeners are a good source of materials and encouragement.

Ask A Farmer

Out in the sticks there won’t be the option of stores and restaurants as a source of food, but ask any farmer and there’ll be some left on the fields that they didn’t or can’t sell. Many will let you pick these leftovers.

Food Banks

A rapidly growing movement in the United Kingdom and US is the organized and charitable distribution of food to those who can’t afford it. Most of the food is donated, and food banks are one of the easiest ways to obtain some nutritious food. Many banks have conditions for who they can give food to, but there is no need to be ashamed about visiting one.

Links to Food Banks in various countries

United States /United Kingdom /Austalia /Canada /Ireland /New Zealand /South Africa

Offers and coupons

Online and direct from the stores, many coupons are available to promote new products. And companies across the United States send out free samples of new products. They’re unlikely to provide a healthy, balanced diet on their own but could supplement free food from other sources.

Waste Food

In an affluent country there is an abundance of unsold or waste food, and a little social interaction and resourcefulness can unlock access to a surprising amount of it.

Ask at the market

Often around closing time, stall holders will sell off any remaining stock for next to nothing, and it’s always worth telling them you have no money and asking if they’ll give you something for free. You can often pick up some fruit or salad, and if they can’t offer anything, thank them anyway and ask at another stall.

Free Supermarket Food

Ask at the big stores and you’ll be too far down the chain of command: “My boss doesn’t allow us to do that” will be the usual answer. So smaller supermarkets and neighborhood stores are a better option, where you can talk to that boss. You may find warmth and generosity among Muslims and immigrants to the West who run stores.

Restaurant Leftovers

It requires some patience, a little nerve and a bit of practice, but it’s possible to get free, professionally prepared food, even a table to sit and eat it at. Restaurant districts in cities are obviously the best place to try this, and expect a success rate around 5%, so it requires persistence, but will sharpen your bargaining skills, and who knows where else that could lead?

Turn up at a restaurant after the busiest time but not too late, and explain that you have no money and ask if they have some left overs in the kitchen. It can help to have a container such as a plastic box ready in case they do have something, and if they’re friendly and can’t offer anything the first time, maybe they can put something aside the next day.

Searching and Foraging

It grows on trees, on the ground and some seasons there’ll be abundant fruit and tasty plants such as dandelions or chickweed. Even cities can produce some tasty wild food, and anyone near downtown Seattle has access to America’s first Food Forest in a major city.

Dumpster Diving

Growing media coverage of the colossal food wastage at supermarkets and restaurants has made it much less weird, and more popular, to search through the dumpsters in search of some quality food to turn into a meal.

Last Updated: March 7, 2021

Life after domestic abuse

To whom it may concern or to whom may be able to help,

I absolutely hate to ask for money, but I have exhausted all of my other options and I am at the point of giving up but I have to keep going for my beautiful little granddaughter.

Amara is almost three years old and her mother, my daughter in law, was violently beaten by her boyfriend after she was caught trying to leave him. My son was killed in a tragic car accident almost two years ago and my daughter in law, in a downward spiral, became involved in a bad relationship that she recently was finally able to break free from, but not without cost. She was violently beaten and everything she owned for herself and her daughter were left behind so essentially, she is starting all over. She has 4 broken ribs, a cracked collarbone, a broken arm and wrist along with numerous bruises and will be healing for awhile. While she is unable to work or move well yet, i also need to pay for daycare to watch my granddaughter most days as my daughter in law is still on pain meds.
I am working 7 days a week trying to make ends meet and take care of them both along with myself but 16/hr does not go very far with all that. She also has hospital bills that I am trying to take care of while she heals. I am working every hour I can get along with donating plasma and a flexible hour job with a delivery service, but I just seem to be getting nowhere trying to replace things they lost such as car seat and clothes, etc. I am slowly dying inside myself because frankly I am so overwhelmed trying to help and keep them out of a bad situation again and I am so tired from crying and losing sleep worrying.
Again, I hate to ask for any kind of help and I would not be if it were not a desperate situation where I am losing ground and my sanity. Please help if you are able to be able to ease even just a little bit of this financial burden while my daughter in law is trying to heal herself for her and her daughter…..

Thank you for reading this and for any help you may be able to give.

Paypal.me/mavs1974

Last Updated: March 5, 2021

A New Beginning.

Hello,I will try to be as brief as possible and get straight to the point. July 26, 2020, my 39 year old daughter suddenly passed away and I now am raising my 8 year old grandson. I moved in an apartment very close to her apartment she lived at for four years. But when she passed away the time here was about 6 1/2 years. My grandson has had many emotional problems and because I still reside at this address it has been very difficult. We can move very soon except I owe a bill that I shouldn’t have gotten. You see I was very sick at that time the problem occured. I was accused of not reporting information to Aurora Housing Authority. I did report the information immediately. I made copies also but because of my illness I put them away and could not find them. At that time I was very sick I even needed help dressing. Both my daughters moved back home with me to help me until I was well enough to take care of myself. In conclusion, if I don’t pay the bill my grandson and I will be unable to move. The Coalition Of The Homeless will forfeit the rental help by March 15, 2021. My grandson is a good boy, he loves school and loves his 9 month old his puppy his mother bought 2 months before she died. He also is kind to people. He deserves a chance to become whatever he wants to. Please help us move forward to have a new beginning. I thank you for your help.

Last Updated: March 5, 2021

Helpless

Hello. My name is Nico and I’m 28 years old. My Wife got a psychosis and this changed our whole life.

It all started 6 months ago. She ran away and cleared our Bankaccounts / credit cards faster then I could react. We have a debt of 60000 now.

I never knew where she is because she got crazy in this time. 6 weeks ago she came back home. Not really remembering what happened in this time. Then the next shock. She got pregnant.

After this my wife tried to commit suicide, luckily survived (baby too) and is under medical care now, I can’t talk to her cause she’s mentally away…

I don’t know what to do anymore since the doctors said my wife could need medical care her whole life.

I’m together for more then 12 years with her now. We always wanted a family… And one psychosis destroys everything.

I never did this before, but if there is anyone out there willing to help me in this crisis, I will never forget this.

Greetings

Nico

https://paypal.me/NicoL267?locale.x=de_DE

Last Updated: March 5, 2021

Desperate and Alone

Hi. I am in desperate need of financial help. I have run into several hurdles since 2020 and financially I am barely holding on. My puppy and I were attacked at his vet bills are $4000. I have over $5000 in medical bills. I have credit card debt, and most recently I was involved in a car accident. My car was fixed, but I owe $3700 before I can get it back. I need my car to get to work. I only have the rental for 2 more days. Please help me. I am begging. I swear on my life and on my puppy’s life that once I get back on my feet financially that I will pay it forward. I don’t have anyone to ask personally. Please please. I greatly appreciate it.

Paypal: @amberhicks1319

Venmo: @Amber-Hicks-32

Last Updated: March 5, 2021

Homeless

HI, my name is Patrice

I’m in need of some really good luck or a miracle, me and my family have been homeless and living in basements, my car and occasionally a friend’s house, my mother has been diagnosed with Rectal Cancer and can not have operation until she has a place to live. I have been trying very hard to find an apartment but the waiting lists for low moderate income housing is very long and shelters will not take me because they said I work a full time job and own a vehicle I do not qualify I tried some private housing, but the first, last and security deposit is a lot that I don’t have. I begged a family member to let my mother stay with them and it was granted, but they are really treating her bad, she has to sleep on the floor, now mind u this women has cancer but they don’t care and keep harassing her about when she will leave. I have come across a 4 bedroom home and the people that own it are willing to give me an opportunity to own, the catch is I have to come up with a 50,000.00 dollar down payment by April 15th 2021 or they will put the house on market. please if any one out there has a family then you know how important it is to have a home for your family to live in especially with a sick mother that needs all the care in the world right now, please help to make a dream of a life time come true. any thing you can give would help me reach that goal and me and my family would be so grateful.

thank you in advance

paypal.me/goodbara

Last Updated: March 5, 2021

Moving into my home I been homeless for 2 years

Moving into my apartment 3/20/2021. But I am having a problem coming up with the money to move in. I have been struggling for 2 years to find a home. I suffer from bi polar and ptsd along with ocd and depression. Well about three years ago I got married to my best friend of 15 years and found out I won’t be able to ever have children. My husband went to jail and when he was gone I went through his phone thoroughly and found out he was paying men for sex. When I realized he wasn’t attracted to me and my whole life was a embarrassing lie I crumbled. I didn’t know where I belonged or what I was supposed to do. Well my first impulse was to leave. So I packed my bags and took my dogs and we left! No realizing what I was doing or how I was going to take care of myself I started using drugs. Then 2 months later I lost my dogs! My life went down hill fast. I tried over the past 2 years to work on my marriage but because I left and told a few friends about what he did he denied me. I was so lost and hurt and confused. I didn’t have anyone to turn to. Then I got an email stating my number for section 8 came up and told me to start the processes of receiving my voucher. I received my voucher in august and was informed to find an apartment to move into before the deadline. I couldn’t find one right away because I truly didn’t have any ambition because I was still all alone wanting to just die. Until I started dating this guy and he was very nice to me he told me to go to this park one day meet him. I went to the park and I found my DOGS!!!! Both of them still together and been getting taken care of by a young homeless couple. I took my babies with me and I have been so thankful like I have a purpose again. So then I went on the hunt to find me an apartment so my dogs and I can start having a more positive healthy life together again. I found an apartment I had to pay thousands of dollars to collections just to get approved for the apartment and now I’m not sure I’m going to be able to cover all the costs to move in on the 20th of March. What I am simply asking for is help to pay for my hotels every night until the 20th of March and help to move into my apartment. $1252 a month rent and 800 deposit and $100 for pet deposit

https://www.paypal.me/ggdaddyspoopoo?locale.x=en_US

Last Updated: March 5, 2021

Baby Jude in the NICU/Momma needs help

On a cold Friday in February, baby Jude surprised everyone and decided to join us 8 weeks early. Weighing only 4lbs 11oz, he may be small, but sometimes the best things in life are the little things. Despite his early arrival, he is doing amazing. He is growing and progressing with ease. Fortunately, he is very healthy with the only real problem being his calcium levels being low, despite getting supplements. He is a fiesty baby already, giving the nurses grief and making it clear to them that he does not like them putting his “shades” on to protect his eyes from the bright blue lights he had to be under. Most of his nurse’s time was spent fighting to get them to stay on him without getting pulled off almost immediately. For someone so tiny, he already has such a big personality. Unfortunately, since he came so early he has to stay at a hospital that is over an hour and a half from Mommy and Daddy and his sisters and brother. This has made things even harder on the whole family, who has been through a pretty horrible past 2 years, especially Mommy. Jude must take after his Mommy some though, because I am a fighter and determined to make it through all the bad to get back to the good and have a great future in store for the whole family. No matter how bad things have gotten and how much has been thrown at me, I have gotten through it and made sure the family has been taken care of. Now I am exhausted in every way and I need help. I help everyone I can, I hate to see others struggle but I have to admit, I am the one struggling now. I don’t need a ton of help, just a boost so I can ease some of this stress and exhaustion I have been dealing with for too long. We have bills that are getting behind and we have had so many unexpected expenses because the home that has been in my family since 1939 is old and everything has decided to break at once. Then adding on traveling back and forth to be with Jude as much as we can and how covid has affected everyone’s incomes it seems, it is almost impossible that we have made it this far. I’m asking for around $500 just to help make things not so impossible for us. I don’t need everything to be taken care of for us, I just need a little help. I will be taking care of things the best I can until my last breath because that is what I’m here to do and my family is the most important thing in the world to me. I am human though, and I have limits and I just need a helping hand so I can continue to be able to take care of these amazing people that I get to call my kids and so I can keep doing what I can to be there for such a wonderful little baby like Jude so he can grow as big as his personality.

https://www.paypal.me/km7887

Last Updated: March 5, 2021

In desperate need of a Miracle

Where do I even start? I have been struggling to keep my head above water for so long now I don’t remember how it feels to actually smile anymore. I am a single mother 28 years old with a gorgeous healthy 15 month old little boy. In my late stages of pregnancy I moved and with my mother since I was a high-risk and my at the time living mother-in-law was to sick and disabled to help me at my home. I was born with a condition called EDS, it’s a collagen deficiency that affects my joints and connective tissue throughout my body. This causes me to be in severe pain each and every day and has also been the reason for my many and forever reoccurring joint dislocations. So that being said, my mother offered and insisted to help me through my pregnancy and after if needed. Allowing her to do so has been the worst mistake of my life. Since my son was born the very first day we brought him home my mother has done nothing but try and keep him away from me. Instead of helping me with my newborn son whenever my body had been ripped open, she would take him from me while I cried and begged for her not to but was to weak to fight. she has done nothing but put me down and told me that I was not capable a caring for my own child. What kind of a person or a mother could ever do what she has done to their own daughter? In the 15 months I have been stuck here in this hell watching and having to tolerate her trying to over rule everything I do or how I raise my child is absolute Madness!! She acts as though he is her son and not mine, like I am non existent. It’s so very hard to not fight with her but i somehow keep my composure for the sake of my little one. She has put me and my fiance in jail for stealing her car after she gave me the keys and asked me to go to the store for her since my car had a flat tire. Whenever I was in jail on false charges she illegally sold our car or rather got rid of it for God knows how much money, has continuously made reports to social services, claiming me and my child’s father did not want our kid and horrible things that I do not even want to bring up. All reports made and investigations done were almost immediately dismissed due to the lies she has tried to tell. She has stolen my identity and ruined my credit leaving me completely out of options to be able to help myself and improve my situation on my own. Without a vehicle I have no way out and I refuse to put my son in a situation where he has no home. I am at the end of my rope I no longer know what to do or where to start I am currently and actively seeking employment but that is not happening quick enough and I will still be under her thumb since she sold my car. I am asking please and begging for anyone who might can help me begin to get back on my feet again to please lend me a hand. I have no one to turn to and no family I can ask for help. I am alone besides my baby boy and I can’t continue subjecting him to such a vile situation and person like my mother. She has now petitioned for custody claiming I am unfit because I dont have my own home or transportation and I am due in court next month, I will die trying to get my son away from here and have a place for him before then if humanly possible. But the reality is that I know I can’t do it at first with nothing. She is only seeking custody so she can draw an extra $1500 each month off of my son from her retirement and social security if she gets it . Please help me if at all possible just get on my feet and have the means to put a deposit down on a place and a vehicle for the sake of my son. Any kind of donation no matter the amount will be more than appreciated and mean more than you could ever know. God bless you all and may happiness forever find you and your family. Help me put an end to the sick and horrible things my own mom is trying to do to me. Dont let her rip him from my arms again….

My deepest thanks,

Savannah

Last Updated: March 4, 2021

Weakest I’ve ever been

I hope everyone is remaining safe during these uncertain times.

Like you, I have paid close attention to the global pandemic, and how it is destroying lives across the world.

I apologize in advance if any of this is jumbled. I’m a mess of emotions. Bare with me.

The impact of COVID-19 has been catastrophic for many, and I’m no exception.

In the beginning of this whole thing, I was one of the lucky ones, able to maintain my job, and keep up on bills. I helped out anyway I could for those less fortunate. My S/O was getting out of the military (right before covid was reported). But after a series of very chaotic events, it has put us in a position that others faced earlier in 2020. However, the benefits that were offered to those initially, are now expired and we do not qualify for anything currently being offered.

In the mix of the employment and reduced hours (but not enough to qualify for the benefits), we were also called to care for my niece. We chose to prioritize our bills the best we knew. Rent. Food. Medical. Etc etc. we maxed out credit cards (close to $15k), trying to stay current on things. Our savings were also drained. But that’s what they’re for, right?

Mid July 2020, I was contacted by my sister, requesting my help with her daughter. She asked me to let her live with me until she got her own life straightened out. At this point my S/O and I moved out of an apartment, and back in with my brother and his daughter. We are forced to move out of our apartment due to covid. Since we left the jobs for new ones, we were becoming financially stable in some areas, we were in a better position to care for her, than her own mom. It’s now March 2021, and she is still in my care. She has seen her mom a total of 8 times. Each visit lasting less than an hour or two. At no point have I kept her daughter from her. She just chose to run after a man and not take on her responsibilities. Initially she said she was going to send me $100 a week to care for her. I never asked, nor did I tell her she had to. I knew she wouldn’t so I ignored her statement. I never brought it up. She has sent me a single payment of $100 on Aug 26, 2020. Almost weekly she has been requesting money from me for things though. Which it’s always the same amount and I know it’s not for what she’s asking. And when I tell her I’d just get her what she needed money for she would decline. Why does she need money if I have the only valid reason she should ever ask? I would tell her I didn’t have it, and she would go off. Making life harder for her daughter. She also received money on both stimulus payments. She also claimed her in taxes even though we were counseled by lawyers stating she was to be claimed on ours. But I chose not to bring this up to her, until the court finishes the guardianship. I fear harm would come to my niece should I not let legal action take it’s course.

My niece is 12. She has seen more than what any 12 year old should. I refuse to let her end up in a home where she is hurt and abused. My sister lives with her boyfriend and his mom and about 6 other adults (no exaggeration) and two of them are offenders. (Yes it has been reported). My sister sent her away not once but twice. And this time she’s not going back. She has an attention problem. But what teen doesn’t? We get her to a point of adjusting her attitude, just for her mom to call and then the behavior goes south quickly. I 100% believe she has Stockholm. She sees no wrong in her mom. I just hope she will see otherwise soon.

As school came back into session, I remained home and worked part time, while my other half went to work. This wasn’t by choice. Without my full income, we got further behind. I initially had to homeschool her. But her grades weren’t good. She can’t learn that way. She had to have in person, and honestly I’m not a teacher. I have so much respect for educators. I could never do what they can.

I finally returned to work end of September.

During all of this, we found a landlord that would allow us to move in and defer our deposits. My brothers home was too small for all of us to live there, so we were really lucky to find a rental in the middle of a pandemic. Such a lenient landlord too! Since our credit was ruined during covid, he broke up the deposit over the course of the 3 year contract. Which was helpful, but still worrisome since this whole pandemic is unstable. We did not find something we couldn’t maintain. It’s just the back owed bills that are due on top of the new monthly bills.

One of the BIGGEST issues, is the back owed vehicle payment. We worked with our lender, kept them in the loop, we went through every option. We made payments as we could, even if it wasn’t a full payment, we still did what we could. But now their hands are tied. We are 3500 behind, and they won’t defer. His credit dropped 300 points since Jan 2020, just by this loan alone. They won’t refinance. They won’t extend. They gave us 3 options of payments. They offered a settlement of $22k (of $26k), three monthly installments on top of the new monthly payment ($1300+ total a month), or one full of backed owed, and get back on track. They have it on repossession status. This left us disheartened. All of the assistance that was offered initially during the break of this virus, no longer applies. Most expired in august, the others in September and October.

It got to the point that we reached out to the CEO of our lender, via email. They called 4 days later and honestly wasn’t a lot of help. While they did remove the repo from the request, they will reapply it if we don’t meet their agreement, which is $400 a week for 12 weeks. In order for this to be the plan, we had to make a good faith payment of a full monthly payment, which was 468. I made that on March 1, 2021.

We do not have family members who are capable of helping us with this, as they are not remotely close to being okay either. We are alone on this. And time is running out.

If we lose our vehicle, we will lose jobs, if we lose jobs, we can’t make other bill payments, if we fail to pay, we lose our home. If we lose our home, we lose everything.

We have not been late on rent yet, but getting help paying off that deposit early would take a huge weight off of us. If we can at least get caught up on the back owed, we can move forward, and that would practically save us. I have a lot of court fees that will be needed to cover the custody situation. Had we kept up on the vehicle, we would have no problem covering this. We need to get her back in therapy, but like before, we make just enough to not qualify for anything. She needs her medicine to help with focus, and company insurance doesn’t cover it. When it’s said and done we are looking at over 600 a month for medical. And since we used our credit cards for bills, we no longer have that option.

I am actively trying to find a better paying job but our location makes that difficult should we lose our vehicle. Public transit is far as well. Loans aren’t an option as our credit is ruined. Can’t take out a secured loan because we have nothing of value. It’s honestly a lose lose situation.

He works full time, and makes decent money, but it’s not enough for everything backed up. He wants to use his GI Bill and go back to school, but given our current situation, he can’t afford a day off, even if they do give him the housing allowance for using GI benefits, it could be months before he sees it.

In total, we’d need $12k to catch it all up and start working towards a better future. This amount is just for the owed deposits and late auto payments, and medical/office visits. But we are overall about 20k in the hole (basing it off of settlement of auto loan).

My pride is obviously broken. I’ve spent years battling my pain inside and never opening up. At a young age it was beat into me by an ex that crying or asking for help is a sign of weakness. I’ve spent 10 years with that mindset. I always made it work without asking for any help. I never showed anyone I was struggling. There were days I’d lay in bed wishing I didn’t wake up. I faked being happy for so long. I truly believed I deserved it. In 2018 I broke that mindset. I finally felt good enough. I was away from abuse. I was okay. I was safe. I filed for divorce. I found my happiness and focused on it and not worry about others. I began saving my own money and not worrying about someone else controlling my bank.

Then it all came crashing down last year and I realized how much I kept inside. While I was happy in my relationship and family, and all that, I became panicked worrying about the safety of a child that didn’t deserve what was happening. I worried for my finances that were quickly diminished by things out of my control. I worried about losing things I’ve worked so hard for.

If you’ve made it to the bottom of this very long novel I just wrote, then I honestly appreciate you. I know it’s like a long text you get after an argument and you just don’t want to deal with it. The bad part is this is the condensed version. There’s so much more to be said. But I honestly feel so much better by getting it out of my system.

I have documentation to prove every word of this to be true. This posting only allows to upload one. But I am willing to show any proof needed.

I’m always there for everyone. I’m the one they come to when their world is crumbling down. But here I am back against the wall. And I don’t think I can stand tall anymore. I thought I’d be stronger than this, but the truth is, I’m the weakest I’ve ever been.

https://paypal.me/LorrettaG?locale.x=en_US

Venmo: Lorrie-C-1

Cashapp also available

$lorrie1025

Last Updated: March 4, 2021

I’ve lost everything. I can’t do this anymore.

I have never heard of this place before or anything like it, but Today I googled begging for money as I am so beyond desperate now that I don’t know what’s left of a life if I can’t sort these things out.
I don’t know where to start. The idea of ever being able to rescue the situation has seemed so impossible that I’ve never even considered how I’d explain it to anyone else. The biggest money concern for me at the moment which requires the most immediate attention is that I need to pay £816 in fines to a court for driving without insurance, unbeknown to me when the incident occurred otherwise I truly would never have risked losing my transportation when I had already lost my home, my job as I was on maternity leave and my whole family due to a historical sexual assault allegation made about my grandparents that practically raised me and my two siblings who the allegations concerned. This is still ongoing, it’s false allegations that were made by my mother, who’s blamed my younger sister for everything that came out of her own mouth to the police. My whole support network was ripped out of my life. My partner who I genuinely thought I would spend my life with (even before we had our son) planned to propose to me on a holiday in June 2019, where it also became apparent that I was pregnant. What a beautiful collaboration of events for us. No, three days later, on the day he had told all of our friends at work (I had the same job as him, a manager in retail and I was GOOD at it. I was going places) I received screenshots from his ex partner with whom we’d just spent a year of hell going through court with as she bitterly stopped us and his family seeing his daughter, showing that the two of them had been seeing each other and sleeping together no later than one day after we were finally granted arrangement for contact with his daughter. My whole world shook. I had just found out that I was having our baby, which we didn’t think we were ever going to have without intervention due to my endometriosis. He’d changed his mind on the proposal too, obviously while he was busy being a person that I no longer knew at all with a woman who caused a whole family so much pain, I was monitoring him as he wanted to take his own life more than once throughout the process, which he had also paid £30,000 in legal fees to battle. (Not even counted for in my problems I’m posting here! If anything, I struggle to feel sympathetic for the debt – which by the way, he does have completely under control anyway good for him 😂). We were on a tenancy together with our home that we’d moved into together sept 2018, and I was absolutely lost, It ended up with me signing to come off the tenancy and spending 8 weeks of my pregnancy sofa surfing between my mums room in a friends house, and my sisters bed with her because at the time, my grandparents were still living with my brother (20) and sister (17) in a 2 bedroom house while they slept on their sofa bed downstairs. My siblings (excl brother 20 as he moved to our dads house years before when the domestic violence first happened) all were taken to care in 2018. Im the eldest of 7, the youngest being 18 years younger than me. I became mum when I was a child myself to my younger siblings, while trying to tear my step dad off of my mum and then the day after, my mum off of him too. I had 30% attendance in my last year of school and missed all of my mock GCSE exams because I was in and out of interviews with the police and social services when he nearly killed her one Christmas. I made sure They were all walked to school, and tried to wash their clothes, and Worried every day about how I was going to get five mouths fed, but none of those worries meant anything when anyway when it kicked off between mum and him and I just needed to get them all in a room locked away to hide while I went and tried to put out the fires between two coked up, drunk adults twice my size, with it nearly always resulting in one of them turning the whole thing on me and directing that wrath to hitting me instead. I was thrown out of the house by both of them once! I’d pissed myself with the fear of that because they both turned on me even though it was them taking chunks out of each other! The younger kids eventually got removed in 2018, the year I lost all contact with them, I was supporting my partner with his ex stopping him seeing his daughter. Honestly I don’t know why I’m still writing about this because it’s a mess and I don’t know whether I have even gone into detail about money!!
I’m 23 years old, and I had a baby last year in February 2020. My son looks at me like I am superwoman, like I don’t have any unlovable parts and like not either of my parents, or anyone else has ever loved me. I am in debt from credit that my mum has had put in my name over the years, and then the one salary loan I have actually in my name was to try and pay off the ones she had taken out in my name without any permission at all Ofcourse.so there’s that. I was earning £2000 before I left for maternity leave, to have my baby. I worked hard, I never thought I’d have the beautiful little boy I am so grateful to have, I was career driven and I knew what I wanted out of my life and I was going to get there. I really had a plan. I have debts of around £13,000 (that I know of, truthfully- I don’t know how much else she could’ve done with my name or whatever) I can’t get any credit at all from anywhere, I have just lost my car, I have fines to pay by the 17th March or action will be taken against me and I haven’t got anything where anyone could even recover it from anyway, anything I “have” is my sons. He is all I have, and to be honest with you, HE IS ALL I WANT.
I just want a fresh start. For me and him, and I want to be financially dependent for us both. I stand no chance of leaving the relationship with his dad despite how much it breaks my heart that he continues with whoever he wants to, and treats me like a maid in “HIS HOME” that he reminds me he can ask me to leave at any time as it’s him on the tenancy now, and has been since 2019 when I left. We’ve just been served notice from the landlord that we have to leave in the property, and I know that if I can’t come up with a miracle, he will leave me, go back to his family home with his mum, but he will take our son to spite me, because he’ll be happy to return me to the mud where I’m not able to get myself out of since giving up everything for our family, while his life hasn’t been disturbed by the new member to OUR family in the slightest, and he makes sure of telling me how that should NEVER happen to a person when they have a child, And on paper, what the hell do I have to offer him up against him? If that happens, I will Honestly, I have been through so much more than all of this but I’ve just spent the majority of my sons nap typing this, and I am just about to turn mum mode on, but this is my last desperate attempt, plea, anything. I need help, I am so scared of how it can get worse than this, but I don’t want to jinx it by saying “it can’t get worse” please.

Last Updated: March 3, 2021

Screwed over royally!

After spending 6 years helping her obtain the career of her dreams, the woman I was hoping to spend the rest of my life with had an affair and dumped me. Her partner in crime, who was financially better off, persuaded her to find a more ‘suitable’ prospect. Needless to say that she left me completely broke.

Being the overly trusting person that I am, I invested heavily in what I believed was our future. During our time together, I helped her raise her 6 year old son who proved to be very challenging. I did most of the heavy lifting with parenting, which ranged from religiously attending PTA meetings and showing up at the principal’s office whenever summoned. I chauffeured him to and from his soccer practice, along with all the other after-school activities he participated in. I did about 30%-40% of her work for her and mentored her through many challenging work-related situations. I was a stellar work-from-home dad, co-worker, life coach, image consultant, friend and lover all rolled in one.

My efforts and contributions enable her to more than double her salary. Prior to me transforming her appearance, she was slovenly dressed and shabby looking when I met her. With the exception of her pretty face, she had very little going for her. BUT, I saw plenty of potential that other men did not see. Once my ‘Midas Touch’ resulted in her attracting men of a different caliber, I was suddenly no longer good enough for her. That is when the late hours and sneaking out began.

When I finally confronted her with evidence of her infidelity, what I was hoping for was an expression of remorse and apologies. Instead, what I got were defensive outbursts and accusations of spying. I suggested going for counseling to salvage what I believed had potential to be loving, lasting relationship. Silly me, right? My proposal was unfortunately met with hostility and insults.

I am not one to whine, but the excruciating pain from this unexpected turn of events has now kicked my ambition into overdrive. I am determined to prove to her that losing me was the biggest mistake she ever made in her life. I am determined to become a millionaire. I am in the process of drafting a business plan to raise funds to finance a slate of projects for my venture studio.

In the meantime, I could really use some financial assistance to get a new place and feed my charming, fury companion. My dog is all that is saving me from depression right now. I will accept whatever cash help anyone is willing to give me. My goal is to reach $5k to jumpstart my new life. I thank you sincerely in advance, and may you be blessed tenfold for your generosity.

paypal.me/faithfulpal

Last Updated: February 27, 2021

Getting Kicked Out

Hello everyone,

My name is Carter, and I am a 19 year old male from West Sacramento. My past is pretty rough, like I’m sure a lot of people in my situation can relate to. When I was 17, I had to get emancipated in order to leave my toxic parents home. I then left to my brothers house, but that didn’t work out either. Now, I am at my friends house with no job, and I am getting kicked out soon. Unfortunately, I have little money to my name, and I can’t get a place anywhere due to the high cost of living, and I am without a good job.

Anything will help me, I am trying to reach a goal of 4000$ us to have enough money to kickstart my life: college, a place to stay, etc

http://paypal.me/kitsunewyvern

Last Updated: February 26, 2021

Help me get a new start in life

I am not sure how to start this, so I will try to go from the very beggining.

I am a young brazilian woman who have always liked to study.

I used to live in South America and I was writing a thesis about poor human settlements and housing issues in marginalized areas of my city. After I finished my research I was able to get the opportunity to study in a very good architecture university in Europe. My parents encourage me to go, even though the expenses were not easy to pay for. For years they struggle a lot trying to provide for me the conditions to live this experience. As the years has passed, my country suffered with political excaldals and our money started to worth less and less, making it impossible for my parents to keep helping me. As a young adult I felt more than capable to go after a job so I started cleaning people’s houses, working in restaurants, everything I could find. But my classes at university took a big part of my day (from 9am to 18pm) so I had to work always at night period.

One time I tried working on a night club and I could see how foreign woman was being treated in this context, we were all looking for a opportunity or a way to survive but must people just saw us as prostitutes even though no one of us was doing this kind of job. I met a lot of bad people and I suffered a lot of prejudice. And since I was working so much and only sleeping 4 hours a day I started to not do so well at university and now I dont know if I will even be able to finish my course. I am going to be honest here, I am just exhausted. I am alone in a foreign country, with no help from anyone and no hope of getting out of this situation. I can’t do this anymore and I need to go back to my family.

I need 5.000Euro so I am able to fix my situation, go back to my country, settle there and maybe buy a new computer so I can go back to my researches and try to get a job, grow in life. I know I am in a big mess right now and it was all because of my own choices, because I decided to try this life in europe and because I thought I was capable to do it all by myself. I was never good at asking for help but I am being humble and honest regarding my situation and life story hoping that the kindness of strangers can save me this time. I just want my old life back.
My paypal link is: paypal.me/mussbianka
Any help is welcome.

Last Updated: February 24, 2021

Baby on the way, unemployed

New to the idea of begging for anything, however with a pregnancy test stating I am going to be a father in a matter of months and being unemployed due to covid-19, its time to put pride aside. I would like to beg for two different aspects. The first is for all the things I am going to need for my baby including potential hospital cost. If I could receive $20,000 towards that it would be great and huge stress off my family. The second ask is because I would like to provide for my family with out having to beg for money in the future and one day actually pay it forward. I would like to start a restaurant business. I know restaurants require a lot of start up capital. So instead, my goal would be $100,000 to start a food truck business. I have had experience running and working on a food truck. I have a master’s degree in business administration; thus, I understand what it will take in order to make my business successful. So, in total I am asking for $120,000 for my baby and for a business for I can support my family going forward. More obviously would be better but I feel like I am already asking a lot. My first commitment is to covering the cost for baby. My family has to come first. Everything above $20,000 will go towards starting a business. To me it’s the idea of the man who gives a fish versus teaching to fish. If you give a fish to man he eats for day. If you teach a man to fish, he eats for the rest of his life. If I able to receive $120,000. It will allow me a chance to take care of family with my own hard work. It will allow me to be a positive force in the community. As I grow my business, it will allow me to hire others and help them achieve financial stability. My hope and dream are that I am able to make a successful business that I one day will be able to pass on to my baby. I want my child to be proud of me and what I accomplished. I want to be able to tell him that this was all made possible by the kindness of others. That there really are good people in this world and that you get what you put in. Thus, treat people the way you would like to be treated with kindness and respect.

Thank you for your consideration,

Sincerely the Brown Family

paypal.me/Brownfamilynewborn

Last Updated: February 21, 2021

Healthcare worker needs help with rent

Hello. I’m a full time dental assistant that recently started pre nursing courses to better my career and situation. I had a part-time job also, but due to Covid, I was laid off. I started pre-nursing courses thinking that I would be able to afford the classes with my part-time job, but unfortunately, my situation has changed. I have fallen behind on my rent and a few other bills, but my main concern is my rent. I love my home and my landlord is very nice, so I don’t want to put them in a bad predicament because of my unforeseen circumstances. I’m not a beggar or someone trying to get over, I just honestly fell in a bind and need some help this month. I started classes with the idea and hope that I could someday be in a better financial situation than the rest of my family. I am asking for $2000 to cover my rent and household expenses for this month. I’m actively applying for more part-time work, so hopefully something will work out soon. I am usually the person that donates and gives meals to the homeless, so I’m disappointed in myself that I not only can help someone else at this time, but I’m potentially being a burden. I will forever be grateful for whatever blessing I receive from this, and I promise to pay it forward. Thank you, God bless you.