A few days ago, I broke down and wrote the following to some DK friends:
Hi all, I can’t sleep. Worrying too much because of my financial situation due to the pandemic and cancer treatment that kept me from working before the pandemic.
My savings are running out. I can’t get disability because I haven’t worked enough in the last three years - I was in school full time and then in cancer treatment which I’m still dealing with and recovering from. I’m facing eviction (or a lawsuit from my landlord for rent money) as of Feb. 1 unless state or local gov’t passes new laws. Without an income, I’ll be destitute in about 2 months.
I’m working with a social worker, have access to legal aid advice, applied for food stamps, and cutting out every expense that’s not necessary. Looking for part time work (can’t physically work full time yet even if there were jobs).
My story starts in early 2017 when I went back to finish college at the age of 60. I graduated last year. My significant other, who was my cheerleader and support system, became seriously ill that summer and passed away 10 months later from complications after surgery. After he passed, I survived on savings and university financial aid, with a plan to go back to work after graduation.
But shortly after I graduated, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. I was unable to look for work while undergoing surgery, chemo, and radiation, which I completed this summer. I now have some disabling side-effects from the treatment and my recovery is ongoing.
I’m looking for part-time remote work now. It’s difficult to find in these pandemic times, but I’m looking at every possible opportunity and have a few more rocks to turn over as of this writing. Some of my challenges work-wise are: I’m unable to do manual labor or essential worker jobs, such as grocery shopper or driver, because I have a frozen shoulder and can’t lift things. I can’t work around people because I’m high-risk due to my age and health condition. My young-adult daughter lives with me but is unable to work. She has an anxiety disorder and has applied for SSI, a process that takes months to resolve.
Other state and federal (SSDI) disability programs rely upon work months or quarters completed and because I haven’t worked since 2016, I am unable to collect disability. So I’ve fallen through some cracks in the safety net. I’m receiving Medi-Cal healthcare coverage (CA’s Medicaid) and $184/mo. in food stamps for my daughter and me. I’m applying for utilities discounts. I've applied for In-Home Supportive Services through Medi-Cal, which - if we receive it - will pay my daughter to help me until my shoulder heals and I recover more fully from treatment, in about a year. The application process takes several months.
I have a number of skills which I hope can become income-generators. I conducted original qualitative research as an undergraduate and I could translate those skills into remote writing, editing, and interviewing. I have office managerial experience, and I’m a classical musician who can teach instrumental music.
With DK members’ help, Sara R and winglion created a beautiful community quilt for me, which I received early this year. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/3/24/1930883/-Thank-you-for-the-beautiful-community-quilt I’m looking at it right now as I write. It remains as magical as ever, and I’m so grateful.
Our cat, pictured above and in the quilt diary I linked, recently passed away. She was my constant companion during treatment and I will miss her terribly as I go through the next months of recovery and beyond.
I’m asking for contributions, up to $15,000, for rent, utilities, food, clothing, and medical supplements, until I can find a job or other ongoing support. My rent is $2,280 per month for my two-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles, but I was able to get a Covid-related rent reduction between June 2020 and January 2021. However, at the end of January, unless state or local laws change, I will be required to start paying my full rent as of Feb.1 and paying the substantial back (Covid-relieved) rent I owe. It's estimated that it takes 6 months to find a new job, but if I find a job sooner than that, I can use the funds to pay back my back rent.
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