A couple years ago I was unexpectedly let go from my job and shortly thereafter developed health issues that prevented me from working for 15 months. After many years of working in the high tech industry and living a comfortable life, I had little money, no health benefits, and no transportation. Needless to say, I never expected that my life would take such a difficult turn.
Fortunately, I qualified for state disability for a while, and then unemployment benefits. Those checks were barely enough to cover my rent and utilities, but I managed to keep my home, get medical care, keep my stomach full, and have a bit of fun here and there. I want to share what I learned about living on an extremely low income for an extended period of time with others who may be going through the same thing. I’m know there are many, many more ways to cut corners and receive assistance, and I’m hoping you will share those ideas in the comments.
During the time I was unemployed, if felt like my life would never get better. Those were dark days. Today I have a job I love and earn a decent living. I'm grateful for that difficult period because I learned so much, most importantly that I can trust my own inner guidance and that miracles can occur.
Unemployment benefits:
- First and most important, if you have been let go from your job, apply for unemployment benefits, even if you don’t think you qualify. If you get turned down but think you are entitled, challenge their decision. If you have received unemployment in the last few years that have run out, re-apply. Congress extended benefits several months ago, and I believe that extension applies to benefits you received going back a year or more.
- Go to your local unemployment office, even if you don’t qualify for benefits, and find out about the various options available to you. You may qualify for free job training in a new field or other programs. They also offer classes in updating your resume, networking, and interviewing. Oftentimes these services are available for anyone who is unemployed, whether they qualify for monetary benefits or not.
Health care & prescriptions:
- Find out about programs in your state, city, or county for low-income folks with no medical benefits. Where I live, there is a program for residents who qualify that provides free or low-cost medical care and prescriptions through our county hospital. I never would have found out about this if I hadn’t made a whole lot of calls and persistently pushed for information. Government programs are notoriously difficult to navigate, but once you get in they can actually work for you. Be sure to be nice and polite to whoever answers the phone, no matter how many times you’ve been transferred or put on hold or disconnected—they may tip you off to other options or resources that you weren’t aware of.
A note about receiving government assistance for health care or anything else you may need: Don’t be too proud to accept this assistance. It is YOUR tax dollars that pay for it, and oftentimes these programs exist for exactly the situation you are in. Take advantage of it without guilt; when you get back on your feet you will resume contributing with your tax dollars so that others can benefit.
- Research walk-in clinics in your area with sliding scale fees. Yes, you may have to wait in a crowded room for several hours before you see a doctor, but the cost is minimal. I saw a fantastic nurse practitioner at a walk-in clinic near my home who spent more time with me and listened more carefully than any doctor I have seen in recent memory. One visit involved an exam and lab work, and the grand total was $15.00. If you are given a prescription, don’t forget to ask if they have any free samples.
- If you belong to the American Automobile Association (AAA), you are eligible for a discount on your prescriptions at certain pharmacies if you do not belong to a health care plan.
- Consider getting your prescriptions filled at Wal-Mart. I know, I know, Wal-Mart bad. But when you are broke and need your meds, it’s okay to get them at a place that offers substantially lower prices than other pharmacies. One of my prescriptions was $225 at my local drug store, and $100 at Wal-Mart.
Reducing your monthly bills:
- If you have student loans, call the loan people immediately and tell them your situation. They will tell you your options for deferring payments, and I’m pretty sure it does not permanently hurt your credit record. Also, if you haven’t consolidated your loans, ask the loan people if this would be a good time to do so. It will reduce your payments substantially, and your credit history is not a factor whatsoever in eligibility for consolidation.
- Call your utility company and ask if they offer programs for low-income folks. Here in California, you can apply for PG&E’s CARE Program, which will reduce your monthly bill until you get back on your feet.
- Consider selling your car if there is decent public transit nearby. You’d be surprised at how freeing this is. No repairs, insurance payments, or fill-ups at the gas station. You get to enjoy the outdoors as you walk or bike to your destination, and read on the bus or train. You’ll lose weight and it will reduce stress.
- Terminate your cable service. Consider terminating your Internet service if there is a library nearby with free Internet access.
Food:
- Find out if you qualify for food stamps. Again, do not be too proud to accept this assistance. It is simply a little bit of help during a rough patch. Same thing for food banks, like the Salvation Army.
- Shop at the dollar store if you have one near you. Most of the food is perfectly good, and guess what? It’s only a dollar. Sometimes canned food is two for a dollar. You can buy items like cereal, soup, mixes, canned veggies, and more there.
- Scour grocery store ads for food coupons. Once in a while you’ll find something outrageously good, like buy one of something and get another one free.
Making fast cash:
- Sell stuff on Craig’s List. If you disconnected your Internet service, call a friend and ask them to post the ad for you. Go through your closet and make a pile of stuff you don’t need or want-- you’d be surprised at what people will buy. Just be safety conscious—meet strangers at a public location, like Starbucks, rather than inviting them to your home. A friend of mine made close to a thousand dollars selling furniture, CD’s, DVD’s, musical instruments and other stuff that was laying around that he didn’t want.
- Be open to receiving money. This may sound like a bunch of hooey, but in my experience, it works. Throughout my period of unemployment I visualized myself receiving money, and held the intent that it would come to me honestly and with integrity. Money flowed in from the strangest places. One day I opened my mailbox and found a check from an employer I’d left almost ten years before. Somehow, they’d discovered an accounting error all these years later at the exact time I desperately needed money. I also unexpectedly received restitution from a person who perpetrated a crime against me some time before. I could go on and on about this, but I’ll spare you. But please try it. You have nothing to lose.
- Sell crafts. If you can bead, paint, crochet, knit, sew or do any other craft, show your goods to friends and family and ask if they’d like to purchase any to give as holiday gifts. Don’t be surprised if they generously offer to pay more than you are asking.
- Apply for jobs that appeal to you that you normally wouldn’t consider, like a part-time teaching gig on a subject of interest to you, freelance writing, retail clerk in a bookstore, etc. You never know where these things might lead.
Mental health:
- Listen for negative self-talk, and talk back to it. Lots of people go through periods of difficulty. It says nothing about who you are as a person. For some, this period will be one of tremendous growth as you learn about what is most important to you and what no longer matters.
- Repeat the following: This is a temporary situation. It will not last forever.
- Pray and ask the universe for help. Open your arms wide and let forces greater than you step in and help in ways you never could have possibly imagined.
- If you are depressed, anxious, manic, suicidal or anything related, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ASK FOR HELP. Call the suicide hotline and ask them where you can get assistance. Call a friend or family member. Open the phone book and look for mental health services. Go to the nearest emergency room and ask for help. There are many, many free services available to you. There are many, many people who care about you. You are not alone. You are important, and you are loved.