I'm kinda scared

Applechips

First of all I want to apologize to the mods for making an alt. This is just really...really, really embarrassing.

I've been laid off. And in order to pay the rent (while looking for another job of course) I've been doing temp jobs. Unfortunately the temp work has dried up, and it's gotten to the point where I'm about 98% screwed, as far as my rent goes.

I dont have any family or friends or positive acquaintances who will let me stay with them for any amount of time, so my last option is, I think, a shelter.

I've heard some bad stories about these places, but part of me says that this might be a good thing, since, once I'm in their care (for lack of a better phrase) they may help me to find a job and may even help with transport.

I just dont know what I'm facing or what my options are. Has anyone been in this kind of a situation before?

Sheep

Where do you live?

1> Government housing projects, while often times filled with seedy individuals, will usually rent to you according to your income.

2> Fast food, Home Depot, WalMart, and family restaurants always need people. Especially family restaurants. I've worked in many, never did an interview, always "You know how to do this and can you learn how to prepare this? Yes? Be here tomorrow at 11." You have options.

3> Start selling shit you don't need.

Good luck.

Capt Howdy

Have you gone to the unemployment office yet? They can help with jobs, and if you qualify you can get cash.

Death of Rats

Depending on where you live Delivery Driving might be a temporary option. I make around $15 an hour driving, and that's after taxes/gas.

Applechips

I've already taken steps to get in at walmat, retailers, fast food, etc, but the bottom line is that I'm going to be staying in this place for like 3-8 weeks at least. That's if I got a job tomorrow.

Can someone clear something up for me? Walmart has this 'dont call us we'll call you' type thing on their web application. Does that mean dont call us we'll call you or does that mean find the phone number for the store you applied to and call and make yourself available?

Edit: Oh yes. I should have mentioned that I dont have a driver's license currently.

Sheep

Applechips wrote: »

I've already taken steps to get in at walmat, retailers, fast food, etc, but the bottom line is that I'm going to be staying in this place for like 3-8 weeks at least. That's if I got a job tomorrow.

Can someone clear something up for me? Walmart has this 'dont call us we'll call you' type thing on their web application. Does that mean dont call us we'll call you or does that mean find the phone number for the store you applied to and call and make yourself available?

It literally means that they'll call you if they want to hire you.

Trowizilla

Have you talked to your landlord? They're not going to kick you out as soon as you don't make rent. If you're renting from a person, talk to him or her and ask if you can have a little bit longer; you'll probably get charged a fee but they'd rather charge you and have you stay than evict you (expensive!) and find someone new to take your place (time consuming!). If you're in a less personal renting situation, you may still be able to get some leeway.

Are you selling your stuff? If you go into a shelter, you won't be able to take a lot of it, so you might as well get some money for anything you can.

You need to get to the unemployment office right away. Tell them everything, even the embarassing bits. They might be able to refer you to social services if possible, since the government would also prefer you not to be homeless.

Go to every single place of business you can get to and try your very best to talk your way into a job. Look at craigslist and check for labor gigs and any job you think you might be able to do. Donate sperm. Donate blood.

If you can at all stay out of a shelter, do it. It's a lot harder to get a job when you don't have a home.

VThornheart

There's absolutely no one you know that'd help you out in this situation? =( =(

Also, if you're laid off, you should quaify for Unemployment, right? Have you filed for unemployment? If not, do it now. NOW. NOW.

Trowizilla

Oh, and don't just apply online. Go to the store and talk with the manager directly. He or she will probably try to direct you to the online application, but make it very, very, very clear that you really want to work there and that you're the best worker since Paul Bunyan.

MeeOk

Donating blood won't get you cash. Sell plasma, if you're willing to do so. Provided you fit their health requirements. Good luck with your situation. I was homeless for about seven months. Some of it in Norfolk, VA and the rest of it in Detroit, MI. You can make it. I just really got back on my feet again, a year and a half after getting a job, and coming back to WA (which is where I grew up, and most of my family is). I never once pan-handled. Go to food banks, go to churches.

Applechips

You're not going to believe this, but people who live where I live are not allowed to donate sperm or blood. (Although some of them manage to give false addresses so they can so do)

Aside from selling my stuff, my options are truly exhausted. I didn't work long enough to be eligible for unemployment, and social services has already helped me with my rent once in the past. (Something they told me they cant do again for at least 6 months)

I don't want to shoot everything you guys say down, so I'm sorry if it seems like that's what I'm doing.

I'm so tired of living like this.

So fucking indescribably tired.

MeeOk

Ah, what state or country do you live in? I know you created an alt for this, but.. more info is helpful.

Capt Howdy

Have you considered the military?

Applechips

I live in the US. In Iowa.

*Sigh*

Military wont work. I tried to get in in high school, and they told me that because I had a minor heart murmur and had prior surgery on my aorta, they could not take me.

unilateral

Applechips wrote: »

You're not going to believe this, but people who live where I live are not allowed to donate sperm or blood. (Although some of them manage to give false addresses so they can so do)

I'm not sure if you mean where you live, as in your residence or your state, but you can definitely donate plasma in Iowa (well Davenport at least has a plasma donation place.)

Capt Howdy

Sorry to hear that man. Church is a good place to start. A lot of churches give people a place to stay and food. Plus, someone there might know someone who can get you a job. It might be a pay by the day crew job, but that sounds like what you need in the short term.

Applechips

My residence. The blood my er...neighbors used to give was almost always dirty, so they just said no more blood from that place.

Sperm for the same reason. Because guys who hadn't showered in days/weeks/months were walking in and they kind of didn't want to deal with it, so they exclude the entire place. It kind of sucks, although I can see why they did it, just looking around.

Rent

Applechips wrote: »

I live in the US. In Iowa.

*Sigh*

Military wont work. I tried to get in in high school, and they told me that because I had a minor heart murmur and had prior surgery on my aorta, they could not take me.

How long ago was high school?
Because I'm telling you if it was like 6+ years ago, times have changed. If you are
1: Reasonably Intelligent
2: Reasonably Physically Fit
3: Reasonably Mentally Fit
THE MILITARY WILL ACCEPT YOU.
I mean, fuck, the Army will accept almost everyone. You have to pretty much be crippled to not be eligible.
Seriously, I'd try the military again, because your situation looks that desperate.
EDIT- How long ago was the surgery? Because if it was greater than seven years than you're good to go.

VThornheart

Have you considered vacating to an area with more employment opportunities?

I mean, if you have no family or friends over there who would be good enough family members/friends to help you in this time of need, there isn't much to anchor you there. You could move to a coastal area where there may be more opportunities available.

Granted, moving might be "selling what you have and taking a greyhound to the nearest populated city in a coastal area"... but you might find that in a more urban/progressive area than Iowa that you can get benefits like Welfare and such that may otherwise be getting denied to you, and you may be able to find employment easier.

I can't promise anything of it, but it may at least be worth considering.

Element Brian

With very good budgeting the millitary can be a great thing for you. As long as you know how to budget well and you know, cut back 95% of expenses, because usually most of our expenses are a waste.

Rent

Element Brian wrote: »

With very good budgeting the millitary can be a great thing for you. As long as you know how to budget well and you know, cut back 95% of expenses, because usually most of our expenses are a waste.

Even with poor budgeting the military's great, because if you're a single, say, E-2, all your money's disposable. None of it has to be spent on Housing and/or Food unless you want to.

Applechips

Have you considered vacating to an area with more employment opportunities?

This has been suggested to me in the past by multiple people. How viable is it to move to a new state with virtually no identity and no possessions?

I've always wanted to live in Washington state. Mostly because ultimately I want to do something related to games. Whether it be writing, programming, or designing.

I realize how far of a cry that is from where I am now, but what can I say? I have to dream.

If I were to move to another state, what do I need to do beforehand? Obviously arrange a place to stay. Or not?

You see? I'm lost.

And what about my student loans/traffic tickets/other debts?

Please tell me it's a lot more viable than I'm painting it to be in my head.

VThornheart

You have virtually no identity? Like not even an old state ID card? Even if it's expired, make sure to keep that on you.

Well, if your option is homelessness here or in another state, and you have no one to help you out in Iowa anyways, I can't see how being homeless in Washington State would be worse than homeless in Iowa. But I could be wrong. I've moved a lot, but never in a situation of desperation admittedly.

Whatever you do, make sure to hold onto whatever forms of identification you have. You MUST have some... or must've had some at one point at least... right?

Student loans can be put in forbearance, you'll want to contact them and point out your obvious inability to pay if you haven't already. There's some brief paperwork, and then you can put it on hold for quite some time.

I don't know about traffic tickets or other debts. Usually states will give you a payment plan for traffic tickets based on need. Speaking of which, if you have traffic tickets you at least have a driver's license. That's a start, hold onto that even if it's just for ID purposes.

Other debts... well... I'm not sure. Bankruptcy is an unsavory option, but unless you can negotiate with them it might end up being your only hope. But generally you CAN negotiate with your lenders. In the end, some money is better than no money for them. You'd be surprised how well they'll negotiate once you put it all on the line, down to the "I'm basically homeless" fact.

There's definitely homeless shelters in Washington state, as there likely are in Iowa (if not more, with Washington being generally more progressive than the midwest).

IMPORTANT: Have you looked into welfare? Don't say you're too proud. Times of unfortunate happenstance is EXACTLY what welfare was meant for. No one asks to get in the situation you're in... but without help, it can be hard to get out. Welfare is there to help that transition.

noir_blood

What type of education/skills do you have? While it's great to have a dream, sometimes you have to put that aside. Plus nowadays there game developments are starting to spread out, so you don't necessarily have to go to Washington. If you can, do some reserch in your neighboring states, you definately want a big city, as that will gave more options on jobs, and also on transportation as well regarding buses and the like.

Capt Howdy

Moving to an area with more employment may help. Do you know anyone who lives else where who might let you stay untill you get on your feet?

Edit for secrecy.

Crashtard

Someone else said it, but forbearance is your student loans is your friend. Call your loan company, like now, and get that ball rolling. They can get all the forms filled out over the phone; all you need is access to a fax machine somewhere. They'll fax it, you sign and fax it back. Donesies. I've been in your situation, and the company I have mine through allows for 18 months of unemployment forbearance and 18 months of economic hardship forbearance. 3 years is a long time to get your shit together.

muninn

Do you qualify for unemployment benefits? You should be able to get half of your paycheck for the next 6-8 months.

Applechips

Erm. Okay.

Forbearances and unemployment are not options right now.

Anyway, can we talk more about the moving thing? If you were going to scrape together a pittance to move to a big, new, unfamiliar and possibly hostile place, how would you go about doing it?

Rent

Applechips wrote: »

Erm. Okay.

Forbearances and unemployment are not options right now.

Anyway, can we talk more about the moving thing? If you were going to scrape together a pittance to move to a big, new, unfamiliar and possibly hostile place, how would you go about doing it?

Are you able to secure a lot of money?
Are you able to secure a job in said state you are moving to?
Are you able to find a support network that can help you in that transition (show you where stuff is, transportation, etc etc)?
Are you able to secure a place to live in the place you're moving to?

I don't want to be "that guy" but if you're not able to make ends meet now, how're you going to be able to afford an extremely expensive and time-consuming move?

Nissl

Do you have a couch somewhere to crash on? Enough cash on hand for a bus ticket and a few months' rent? If it were me in your shoes, I would probably get online and start trying to nail down a job, even a menial job, in my target city right away. Like tonight, before bed. Look through local paper classifieds and craigslist.

Just looking through seattle craigslist cause it sounds like your destination city and TODAY alone there are more than a half-dozen admin asst jobs posted with "GED, use computers, act professional" as the basic requirements. And I bet your temping would give you a leg up on those slots. I see a video game clerk position, jobs at Marshall's, a shitload of customer service and telemarketing jobs.

I'm seeing rooms for rent around $400-450/month.

Applechips

Well, from my understanding, the idea is that I will have an easier time earning money where there are actually jobs and people. This city where I live is almost entirely financial institutions for some reason. I cant remember why exactly, but there's some kind of tax incentive or something.

Anyway, these financial companies don't like to hire just anyone, which means that there are fewer jobs for the general public, which means that jobs at mcdonalds/walmart/whatever are actually competetive. Normally it wouldn't be a real problem, but right now I live in a place with a pretty bad (and widely known) reputation. I have no direct phone line, and I have a feeling that the front desk people are getting calls for me and either telling the caller that I dont exist or they are putting messages in the wrong box or something.

In short, the environment I live in is not at all conducive to employment, especially when coupled with a lack of transportation and real experience in...well, much of anything, really.

So the idea theoretically is that I find somewhere else to be. A place where I may find it easier to work my way up.

Unfortunately for me, the thought of moving to a big and unfamiliar new place is much scarier than the idea of living in a shelter. Especially when I consider that it's very very possible that that's where I'll be living when I first reach my destination. For however long, at least.

I dunno. I'm sure you guys can tell, but I'm just lost.

Nissl

Hmm, what was your previous job experience, if you don't mind my asking? Current cash on hand? Current debts? Current credit lines?

Are you registered with Iowaworkforce.org? That seems to be the Iowa gov't placement agency.

Applechips

My previous job experience is 6 months as a convenience store clerk and 6 months as a grill cook.

I am fully, 100% aware that I may as well have nothing, since I haven't stayed anywhere for more than a year. As soon as I find something else to stay with for a year, I'll happily do that. Though in my defense, I would probably still be cooking right now if the place hadn't gone under.

My current debts.

(Approximate)
$5500 Student loans
$1650 Damages (Accident - Halved due to my efforts in court today. Yay me)
$950 Tickets (Accident - No, it was not a DUI or any such grievous thing as that)
$1000 Credit Card (Oops)

Nissl

How about you head for your local Iowa gov't workforce development office tomorrow morning (check the iowaworkforce.org website for office locations)?

"Our services include unemployment problem solving, job placement, job searching and matching, résumé preparation, job seeking skills, and career planning." You can probably see a career counselor one-on-one, and it sounds like the place is built to help with this kind of thing. I am *positive* they are seeing a ton of people in your situation in the current economic downturn and can give you much more expert advice on local resources, any short-term government assistance you can get, etc., than I can.

I would start there before heading to a shelter. I messed around with posting a diary I read from someone in a similar situation to you on dailykos last week, but the upshot is that his experience was that the shelter job placement system usually assumes you have major psychiatric issues, are illiterate, on drugs, etc., rather than the problem just being shitty economic conditions and bad luck. As a last resort, ok, you know it's there as a backstop, but I would start with the government job placement center.

Applechips

Okay. Workforce. I will go there tomorrow.

Let me just say that I've been to this place on several occasions, and the experience is wildly different than the description there.

Nissl

Damn, sorry to hear that. Are the people there useless? Have you pressed them on whether there's any temporary emergency assistance to avoid the shelter system? If you've just been asking for career advice, I would lay out the outlines of your situation for them, for sure.

I have to go to bed in a bit, will check in on this thread tomorrow morning (PST time).

Unknown

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Applechips

Well, it's awesome at first glance.

Moreso because I can sit right here on this computer and do most anything I can do at the office itself.

You see, what they do is sit you down at a computer so you can look at their online job database. Problem is, this one office gets listings from all over the country.

So sometimes you go in there and there's 4-5 pages of local jobs and 800 pages of places I cant go right now.

About 25% of those job listings aren't legit. Another 25% are copies of themselves or rehashed versions of old ads. A further 30% require degrees or experience in fields that I dont have experience in. (i.e. forklift operator, driving jobs that I cant get because I am sans-license, construction jobs) And the final 20% are jobs for doofuses (doofi?) like me. About 10 listings on average. Which at that point still feels productive.

After that you take your numbers (each listing has a call number, kind of) and a "counselor" takes your numbers and goes through the listings you picked one at a time.

Usually this is where you find out that about 2-3 of the 15-20 you picked are actually real leads.

S/he prints you out a 'referral letter' which isn't so much a letter as it is a printed copy of the job listing's full details as they appear in the database. This paper they hand you is not addressed in any way, and it does not appear to be meant for actually referring anybody to anything. In fact, the one time I actually mentioned it to an employer, they looked at me as if they had just seen me urinating on a tree, minutes earlier through their office window.

It doesn't mean the place is ineffective. It worked for my dad personally. It must work for some people at least or I would think that it wouldn't be around anymore, or it would have at least been reformed. It has, however, been spectacularly ineffective for me in the past. I have given it many chances, believe me. I will try again tomorrow. Partly because I'm desperate, partly because I feel like an ass for making excuses, and partly because it has been a few months since I've actually gone there, so maybe stuff has moved around some in the listings.

Nissl

Not to get pedantic on you, but just to underline mcdermott's point about being willing to move around a bit in IA, I see a part-time cook job and 4 server jobs in Des Moines posted today on craigslist, 3-4 line cook jobs posted in the last few weeks, etc., none of them requiring prior experience, your 6 months would probably give you a leg up on the cook positions....

Ok, really going to bed now.

NotYou

check this blog out. Some good tips on how to live homeless for a while.

http://guide2homelessness.blogspot.com/

Feels Good Man

NotYou wrote: »

check this blog out. Some good tips on how to live homeless for a while.

http://guide2homelessness.blogspot.com/

Something about suggesting going after abandoned rabbits after Easter is so hilarious to me I can't stop laughing.