Community Chat

[beckyb1012]

You are blessed to have all these lovely caring people pray for you today and in the future.  The Lord will provide, I have no doubts whatsoever.  Lifting you up to him now and on into the the miracle of the New Year, 2026. 

[feline groovy]

Apologizing in advance for this short post...

..

I'm so very grateful for all of your beautiful words and wishes. 

If you could please bear with me re: how often I get back here I'd appreciate it.  

Have to continue my non-stop searching and contacting, especially during their business hours.

I'll update, answer your questions & suggestions, plus expand on my situation a bit later.

[ScrapHappy]

sending thoughts and prayers.  God bless.

[SamBrown]

I am sorry to hear this @feline groovy 

[Oznell]

Very much praying for you, @feline groovy , as you work on your medical/ housing/ financial/ and personal well- being issues.  Glad you came to these boards.  I always have enjoyed your posts.

Such good counsel you've gotten. I echo everyone who recommended churches as a resource.  Many churches are only too eager to help with housing, food and other emergencies.  I know mine does, year round.  There will also be people at church who wish to be your friend, fulfilling another essential human need.

You are an infinitely valuable individual, worthy of all the assistance that can be gotten.  Here's to a much better 2026,    

[I am still oxox]

---

@feline groovy wrote:

OK, so I rarely reveal anything personal on these boards - or in general.

But since now is a crucial time for me, here goes...

I'm a senior (62) with serious health conditions whose only income is Social Security Disability -  a lot less than regular Social Security.

My life has been unusual and most wouldn't understand it, including the current situation and circumstances.

Plus I haven't had any family for the last 30 years nor any friends for the last 20. 

Yeah, I know, w e i r d.  

I've been working non-stop day and night for the last several weeks trying to help myself through a financial/housing crisis but, so far, to no avail.

It's been extremely stressful and there's a deadline coming up next week.

I normally wouldn't ask for good juju for myself but since I can't crowdfund and I don't have a support system, I thought I could ask a community that I'm actually a part of.

Thank you in advance and bless you for whatever prayers you can send. 

---

@feline groovy Good luck but I am confused I was on ssdi at 62 also and it was a lot more than regular ss

[feline groovy]

(ETA for errors anyway)

I'm back already as I really needed a break.

Hopefully the following won't confuse anyone as my brain is overwhelmed and I may not have expressed things clearly.

Sorry for the lonnng length and any errors.

*I live in a place I never would have chosen, especially for my health and safety.  

*I'm ashamed and embarrassed to say that my apartment landlord has filed for eviction.

*I've been a good tenant for the last 9+ years and my rent has always been paid on time.

*But I owe them a special charge for an unexpected something that their contractor helped me with last year.

*I made installment payments but they're not enough and the landlord has lost patience.

By the way, I have a way-above-average 17% rent increase for 2025-26.

I've been working nonstop day and night for the last month,  desperately trying to find direct financial assistance, a grant, or a loan I can manage - and I continue to reach out to local, state, and national places of various kinds. 

So far: some organizations are all out of funding, some I don't meet their requirements, and some have yet to get back to me despite repeated attempts to contact them.

I have a legal aid rep but he isn't optimistic as far as appealing for more time to get the money together, or for some kind of mediation and agreement. 

Unfortunately, I have no idea how my landlord or the property management company feels about those things since my November and December emails have yet to be replied to.

Also, the rep has been negative overall and I have qualms about his representation though I'm thankful to have help,

But I'm trying to cling to some kind of hope since my health has worsened and I've had to put off critical surgeries, as well as medical tests and appointments, since this is a 24/7 job.

I must remain in my home due to serious health conditions; this is a life-threatening (I'm not a drama llama, by the way) situation for me.  And I can't leave my fate up to a mercurial landlord.

So I keep trying to save myself.

I highly recommend (ha-ha) trying to stay healthy plus praying you have lots of luck because existing on SSDI is a stressful way to live, constantly worried about emergencies and upheavals that you know you can't take care of.

Plus you can lose your independence.

Having a decent money cushion gives people options (something very underrated) and for those who don't they're in my prayers.

I've been contacting dozens of places (including religious organizations) and appreciate all of your great suggestions. 

You never know what new things you might learn to help others or yourself.

It's been a bit tricky, though, as there's been three holidays since all this started and consequently, days that places were closed, including one for the last two weeks of December.

To answer your questions:

*I live in PA.

*I don't belong to a place of worship 

*I'm not sure why SSDI is $400-$500 less per month than regular SS, but think it's related to how long you worked and how much you earned. I was 42 when I had to go on it so I didn't have the extra 20 or so years of employment that retirees usually have.  

*Yes, I've been blessed with govt assistance for some things as my income is extra low.

*No, I don't have nice neighbors/other to start a GoFundMe or other crowdfunding account nor a community that might respond.

*I joke about my life being "weird" but sometimes it's not that funny. I've had more than my fair share (especially health issues) since I was a child and they keep coming.  But on the positive side, I'm amazed that I'm still here and able to be of service, even if it's just in little ways.  

Thank you so much for your caring posts. 

As well as regarding me as just another "normal" person on these boards.

[ThinkingOutLoud]

I'm sorry for your struggles. If you haven't already tried this avenue, there are groups on facebook that are for people to reach out and ask their community for local help (ie need a pro bono lawyer/rep to offset eviction, need leads to get into gvt housing, need a way to earn $xx dollars from home...).

Also, do you have a craft, art or something you could sell on etsy to get some income? You may be surprised what people would buy or pay for. Could you be a dog walker or pet sitter? 

Hope things will be resolved soon and better than you thought possible.

[ThinkingOutLoud]

Have you read the posts on these boards from @gardenman when he was having to move out of his house and how he managed to find a solution? There might be some tips mentioned that would work for you.

[ThinkingOutLoud]

One other thought - maybe someone needs a roommate to offset costs. Churches and the facebook groups I referred to might be an avenue to help find something along these lines. 

And about not having a church community to be a part of, no one is meant to go through life alone and since you mentioned not having family or friends, well, changing this scenario sounds like a great new year's resolution.