Apply for food stamps in your state. I thought I wouldn't get them, but surprise, I was eligible. There is no disgrace in getting help when you need it. Be brave and just go apply.
I paid into these government programs all the time I worked. Now that I am retired on limited income, driving an old car, and about to be foreclosed on, I decided to just go for it. So that is my story.
By CJ from Ohio
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I agree with you. However, I'm surprised you got them since you're retired and probably don't have young children. It seems that if you don't have kids (legitimate or illegitimate) that most of the time you don't qualify. This makes me so mad. I did get them when my husband became critically ill before he died, but had to fight tooth and nail.
In Pennsylvania, the County Department of the Aging will come and do a once-in-a-lifetime energy audit for free. They put new thermostats in the house and insulation around doors, etc.
Whether or not you have kids doesn't mean you will or will not get food stamps or other help, it all depends on your total income per person. I'm retired and receive food stamps, in fact I received them while I was working too and I don't have kids.
I have never heard of Habitat helping with home repairs, contact your state, because most states have a emergency home repair fund, if you meet income requirements, this is mainly for things like insulation, heating, good quality windows, etc., things that will cut heating costs. Where I live the home builders association has a help-a-thon once or twice a year where volunteers go around and make minor repairs on homes for the elderly and disabled that are unable to do it themselves and can't afford to hire the work done. You do have to know about this far enough ahead of time to apply for it. Also where I live there are some businesses whose employees volunteer their time on a Saturday and paint houses for the elderly and disabled. There again you have to know about it ahead of time, so you can apply.
I'm sure your state has an organization that has grants for helping people in the right circumstances, with home repair and modification. You would have to call the Social Services and ask for something called adult services for aging, it might be something different in your state. What it does is help elderly and disable people to remain independent longer. For me, they, with the consent of my landlord came in and took my bathtub our and replaced it a walk in shower, that includes thre different grab bars. For larger type things, you have to stay in the home for five years after repairs are made, or pay it back in a pro-rated form.
Here in SD where I live, there are some towns that call this organization Opportunities for Independent Living and in some towns it is called other things. I know somebody that received $10,000 of home repairs about a year ago, they repaired part of her roof that was leaking and replaced some windows with energy efficient ones, and put on a new storm door. Now she complains on a regular basis because these repairs increased the value of her house and her property taxes went up a $1,000.00 a year. I think it is kind of funny, because the only desperately needed repair was the roof and her home owners insurance gave her part of the cost of that, which left a balance of about $250.00 that she would have had to pay, and she could afford to, she has a real high level Capital One card, that she only charges what she can afford to pay off in a month. Her problem is she only wants to use that for fun things, like buying from the shopping channels, etc.
Don't you have family or friends that can help you with the work? When my folks were alive and needed something done, they would buy the materials and friends and family would do the work. Between my Dad and some of his cronies they built an attached garage on my folks house. When it came time to shingle the roof, my then husband, our girls and I went and did the work, because my Dad and his cronies were too old to be climbing up on a roof. Even our oldest daughter who was in middle school at the time was up there helping some.
One of my friends suggested I try and sign up for food stamps. I didn't think I would qualify. It was kind of embarrassing to sign up since I have worked all my life and never asked for anything, but with everything going up I was having a hard time. I receive $104 a month. By using coupons and waiting for things to go on sale or looking in the clearance bin I can live off of $104 a month for food stamps. I also, make a lot of food by scratch so that lowers my food bill.
I am so thankful for getting the food stamps. I was very shocked I received the food stamps. I don't make a shabby wage but was still shocked. Sorry seem to be repeating myself, but if anyone is having a hard time making ends meet just try to see if you can get food stamps. This will help tremendously in helping out with food or being able to make your other payments in your household.
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