Not the best week

My meltdown the other day has brought some relief, but no solutions yet. But I am good for a few weeks now, then more panic.

Got some donations on my GFM, and some cash donations, enough to cover my current bills. Other than the summer electric bill and my dental bills, I don't have any large payments due until September. Just daily and weekly expenses.

I have been doing my RE course, but am not liking it a whole lot. Tons and tons of terminology. I feel like I am studying to become a lawyer. I have done two whole chapters, four modules, and we haven't even gotten to the selling part yet. Some of it is sticking, some of it isn't. I will have to go over it again and again.

Yesterday I had a collection agency call. He got nasty with me on the phone, so I hung up on him and blocked the number. He called six more times. I don't need that crap. I have no money. Told them that when they called earlier in the week. Sigh...

It has got to get better.

RANT

Well, just got off the phone with unemployment, nope, no how, no way. Not even the COVID unemployment.

As you all know, last year in early March I was suddenly hospitalized with a heart problem and underwent open heart surgery. I had 12 weeks unpaid medical leave, when I didn't return to work after that 12 weeks, my job was terminated (as was my insurance). I had no choice in any of it. I hadn't had a heart attack but literally could have dropped dead at any moment. (Go figure)

After my surgery I applied for unemployment, but since it was a medical condition, I didn't qualify. I also applied for SSDI Disability but didn't qualify for that because of lack of work credits (missed it by one month). So then I applied for SSI Disability and have been denied twice and have requested a hearing which will take up to a year. It has been 14 months since I got a paycheck, or a check of any kind.

So I applied for unemployment again. Still nope. Since I had applied last year I have to show earnings of a minimum of $1200 and get a release from my doctor. So basically, I have to go back to work before I can get unemployment. WTF? I never collected a penny. I also don't qualify for family assistance because I don't have any school age children.

So, what do I do? I haven't been released to go back to work and I don't qualify for any assistance that I have been able to find. I have had zero income for 14 months. My savings is gone. I am out of money. Literally. SSI seems to think I can "work through my discomfort". I physically can't do the service type jobs any more. I'm 60 years old and can't throw freight any more! I have six years before I can officially retire. I need help. I do qualify for EBT and medical assistance, but that doesn't pay my electric bill or any other bills I have. And I don't have a spouse to take up the slack.

So I guess what I am asking is does anyone know of a program to assist a 60 year old woman with a medical condition, that seems to have slipped through the cracks? I can't be the only one.

For 14 months I have been dealing with all of this, recovering from very invasive surgery, haven't asked for a lot of help, and for the most part have been OK with it. Stayed on an even keel. It hasn't been easy accepting help from so many people as I have always taken care of myself. It was a learning experience and I thank everyone that has helped.

But the system I have paid in to all my life by working and paying taxes won't do a thing for me. Nothing.

But now I am so very discouraged and frustrated. I just want to cry.