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I've visited DailyKos daily for the last nine years, but never taken the time to post a diary. I'm only doing it now, because I'm stressed, anxious and have no one else to talk to. And that's all I'm really doing, looking for someone to talk with.
I'm a full time student, who is also raising my nephew. He lives with me due to his father's abandonment and his mothers prior drug use. My sister is clean now, but she sleeps on the couch at my mothers house and is in no condition to care for him. But my nephew has emotional issues due to his parent's treatment of him. It's a daily struggle just to get him to take care of the daily requirements of life, like take a shower.
To say money is tight is an understatement. We were doing ok with my student financial aid, because it was supplimented by child support that deducted from his father's unemployment checks. But now, surprise surprise, the unemployment checks have stopped and so has the child support.
In 59 days I get my next portion of my student aid, but I honestly don't know how we are going to survive until then. Luckally we have plently of food in the house, because my sister uses a portion of her food stamps to buy us groceries. And I'm very adapt at making left overs stretch over several meals. But that is the only thing we have going for us. My rent check that I wrote is not going to be covered by my bank. I don't have the money to pay for my electric bill, internet bill, or my car payment. All of my credit cards at at least 30 days past due, but Chase bank can get my money when I'm damn good and ready to give it to them. What are they going to do, ruin my credit. Already done.
But I don't know what I'm going to do about my rent and utilities. If it was just me, I could go live with a family member or a friend. But everyone I've talked to has said that I can come, but due to my nephews issues, he can't. I don't know what to do. I'm terrified that he's going to end up in foster care. Which would kill me, because he won't do well in foster care. Due to his emotional issues, he'll probably end up in a group home.
It's so frustrating because, I'm so close to getting the money I need. But it won't come soon enough to keep my nephew with me. I can't turn to the state for help because I used to get TANF for him, but the State of Oregon cut it out of the budget to pay family members to care for children. And we no longer qualify.
If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.
Wed Nov 23, 2011 at 8:32 AM PT: Thank you all for the wonderful words of encouragement. Many of you have offered suggestions of places to go for help and I will be checking some of them out. Also, thank you very much to those of you who have contributed via paypal. It's always been very hard for me to ask for help and I'm only doing it now for my nephew.
Also, the wonderful words of encouragement have brightened my outlook considerably. The hardest part of dealing with my current situation has been not having anyone to turn to. Being a single mother is hard, especially when dealing with a special needs child. Knowing that people are out there thinking about us, makes it a little easier to get through the day.
And this morning I had one shining ray of hope. I checked my mail on my way out the door today and there was a letter from the State Child Support Division. They have served my nephew's father's employer with a child support obligation garnishment. I didn't even know he was working. It's going to be at least a month before I see anything (and he may lose his job), but at least there is the possibility of more income in the upcoming future.
Now, I just need to get through my current situation and hopefully come out the other side ok. I've check my bank account and as of right now, I need $408 to get caught up. It's a sad day in America when such a relatively small amount can mean the difference in a family staying together.