Comments | paul_doyle: Yes I'm alive/Stressed Out Beyond Belief/Kathy's Job Hunt/Novel Two

paul_doyle

Yes I'm alive/Stressed Out Beyond Belief/Kathy's Job Hunt/Novel Two

Jun 07, 2010 08:22

Wow, I can’t believe it’s been so long since I updated this LiveJournal! I have been haunting Facebook almost to the exclusion of other websites, and since I can’t afford to get a new computer (or pretty much anything else, for that matter) I make do with what I have, slowness and viruses and all ( Read more... )

Comments 13

merihsaan June 7 2010, 12:40:41 UTC

We've been in the same boat for about the past year or so, and trust me, I know the feeling. I do have a suggestion for you though, I haven't lived in that area of New England for several years, but have you tried applying for food stamps? Or other assistance given your financial situation? If it weren't for the intervention of the state with us, we'd have been out on our asses a long time ago, and I have two children to care for.

Agreed! ddreslough June 7 2010, 23:27:20 UTC

I don't know if you're covered by FoodShare's territory, but I do volunteer work with them screening people for the SNAP (food stamps) program and helping them fill out the forms. An individual can get as much as $200 a month and families even more.

Foodshare only does Hartford and Tolland counties, though. I think it's either FeedingAmerica http://feedingamerica.org/default.aspx or EndHungerCT: http://www.endhungerct.org/ that handle the other counties.

Re: Agreed! merihsaan June 8 2010, 02:24:16 UTC

I don't live in Massachusetts, and we're already getting benefits through the State of Maine where we live. But I appreciate the linkage. I was actually making it as a suggestion to Paul to see if that would help them out, as I KNOW it's helped us immensely.

Re: Agreed! ddreslough June 9 2010, 12:35:03 UTC

D'oh! I didn't meant to post that as a reply to your reply. :) Sorry for the confusion.

Thread 6

Disability? ddreslough June 7 2010, 23:31:41 UTC

Kathy's had some serious depression and personal issues. I wonder -- would she qualify for disability at this point? That also may help make ends meet -- the only problem is, it seems to be a trap people fall into. It removes or creates a disincentive to go out and rejoin the workforce. And heaven help you if someone sees a photo of you smiling after you've claimed disability for depression. *grumble* Plus, honestly, disability I think has more of a stigma than food stamps these days. Might not want to jump into that depressing hole...

Also, if you guys do qualify for SNAP/Food stamps, there are colleges (Capitol in Harford is one) that give free tuition. I know you said Kathy wasn't much for academics, but I found after the age of 30 or so, I had an entirely different brain and it LOOOVED school. She may want to give it a try again now that she's motivated. Hopefully grants and financial aid may give her a free ride or even a stipend which could help out.

Re: Disability? paul_doyle June 9 2010, 11:05:08 UTC

If Kathy so desires, we'll find out more about disability though I view it with some reservations---after all, there are a lot of people who abuse this system, or lose all motivation to re-enter the workforce (as you said). And though I consider myself a social moderate, from an economic standpoint I'm a bit of a fiscal tightwad conservative, so I'd wonder if it would be morally right for someone in a temporary hardship (and not someone with a permanent disability who's very well deserving of this assistance)to further drain taxpayer money. But as I told Kristen, reality wins out over ideals, so I'll keep my mind open. I'm flexible, and I want to pay back everyon (including yourself) who helped us out at one time or another, over the past few years ( ... )

Re: Disability? ddreslough June 9 2010, 12:25:12 UTC

You know, maybe Kathy would enjoy a trade? They don't require much in terms of academics, they're fantastic exercise (she can work up to long days) and the pay is good once you get established. Interior painting and drywall just jumped into my head (mostly because I was staring at my wall and it's pockmarked. :) ) But, plumbing is big $$$. Framing carpentry is good $$$. Heck, even mowing lawns and landscape can be good $$$. She could volunteer for Habitat for Humanity to work up her skills and stamina -- they'll demand less in terms of hours versus an apprenticeship ( ... )

Re: Disability? paul_doyle June 11 2010, 21:53:01 UTC

News flash: Kathy got a job! It's housekeeping at a local non-casino hotel, which will be very hard work and not paying much, but it's a start.

While I do believe Kathy should get one-on-one counseling, she isn't comfortable with that yet, and resorts to group counseling which I'm not thrilled about (I think it's watered-down and they get sidetracked, and this costs me $25 copay, once a week) but it's better than the previous situation.

She is on anti-depressants, but I think her return to work is the best therapy of all. Hopefully, she'll be spurred to bigger and better things, to the benefit of her whole family.

drakkor November 3 2010, 00:55:12 UTC

Completely unrelated: HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY ! }:D

paul_doyle November 3 2010, 09:25:41 UTC

Thanks! I really need to update this journal . . .

drakkor November 4 2010, 03:21:24 UTC

Hehehe, me too ! Since I dove into Facebook & twitter, I tend to forgot a bit about LJ now. }:P