Rent is due next week and our money is MIA!
By guss2000
@guss2000 (2233)
United States
April 22, 2008 10:02pm CST
I'm a stay at home mom, and right now my boyfriend is currently out of work due to a work injury. He has been out for 5 weeks, and is supposed to be getting workmen's comp. We have a lawyer working on this with us. The lawyer and the insurance company for my boyfriend's job said that a check would be coming. As of right now, they owe him for 4 weeks of work. It is our only form of income (beside my GPTing and clicking sites, or ebaying).
We have one week until our rent is due, and no check has come yet. I don't know what we are going to do! I have about half of the rent.
If we were living here for a while, I'm sure I could ask our apartment complex for some sort of extension-- but this is our FIRST month here! We have no kind of payment history with them, and I'm sure if we went now to explain the situation and tell them we have a lawyer working on getting the workmen's compensation, they probably wouldn't allow for any lead way. They are very strict about the rent too! THey give you until the 3rd to pay, and if you don't pay by the 6th, they start filing the paperwork for court and eviction.
I can't get evicted! I have a son with a tracheostomy, g-tube and on a ventilator at night. He has throat reconstruction surgury coming up at the end of May. I can't be homeless!
My boyfriend is calling the lawyer AGAIN tomorrow to see if they can find out what the hold up is, and explaining our situation again.
I'm trying to find ANY source I can to make money right now. I'm have been doing offers like crazy on sites, and selling a TON of things on ebay, which right now is helping with buying food, gas and things we need.
Does anyone know what else I can do to help get us some money fast in case the checks don't come before next week?
I have a few offer sites that pay fast, so I'm going to hit those hard this week, and hope that I can get a little extra money by next week. I have ebay going, and a lot of stuff on craigs list too. This is what I NORMALLY do since I'm a stay at mom with my son, but I'm doing it double time right now in order to try to bring in extra.
If anyone knows of anything I can do, that would help me fast, please let me know.
If everyone can also pray that the checks come, that would be great too!
11 people like this
13 responses
@mnflower (1300)
• United States
23 Apr 08
I will pray for you and your family for sure, it is really tough with the workmens comp and they are very unreliable, if I was you beside what your all doing, you could maybe ask a friend or your parents to give you a hand and just make sure as soon as the check gets there pay them back..That is what I would do is calling all my friends and family members, maybe even go to your church and see if they would help you..Lots of people are hurting these times and I am one of those and it is not easy..with the prices of everything going up and gas it is just getting crazy and scary..Keep your head up and keep doing what you doing sweety..My prayers with you and your family
4 people like this
@guss2000 (2233)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Thank you. Unfortunately, my only family here is my dad, and he is having enough problems making ends meet. My boyfriend's family are all in Illinois (we are in MD). I am almost considering asking our church. The sad thing is if we had those checks, we would be okay. If anyone did give us the money, we would definitely pay them back.
I'm just hoping that the lawyer isn't screwing us over. I don't think they are since they have been pretty cool during all of this--- but then again ANYONE will tell you what you want to hear.
I'm just praying that those checks DO come before next week.
We have both been so stressed about it. If it was just me, I could go get a job, but with the baby and his medical needs, it's nearly impossible.
2 people like this
@luvstochat (6914)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Oh honey I am so sorry to hear about your situation. Have you tried social services or maybe a local church sometimes they will help you out especailly since you have a disabeld child.
I will pray that you find the money to pay the rent.
3 people like this
@Katlady2 (9920)
• United States
23 Apr 08
I am so sorry that this is happening to you hon. That is most definitely a very tough spot to be in. I was reading the replies here and your responses and the one that stuck out the most was the first one. You mentioned thinking about going to your church for assistance. I say by all means do so. Usually most churches have a special fund set aside for just such emergencies. I know mine does. A few months ago, I had a $500 electric bill and my electricity was about to be shut off. When I called my pastor, he checked with the deacons of the church and they helped me the very next day....paid the bill in full as a matter of fact. I think that if you were to go to your pastor and explain the situation, they would make sure you didn't lose your home, especially considering how ill your son is right now. So please don't hesitate to ask them for help. And also, get a letter from your lawyer explaining everything. If you do it ahead of time, it should help. I'm keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck hon.
3 people like this
@mrsjbelle (1641)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Well I was gonna suggest maybe you get a job to because it really takes 2 incomes now days for anyone to survive but I guess if your baby is that sick you can't. I will pray for you. You can make some money on www.mturk.com but not rent money. Or you could try www.modestneeds.org take care Im here if you need to talk.
2 people like this
@guss2000 (2233)
• United States
23 Apr 08
I am going to check out those sites. I'm desperate right now. I mean, the checks MIGHT come, but we haven't seen a dime, and it's been weeks. Time is NOT on our side.
I've been so lucky to be able to stay home with my son due to his situation, and we never had to worry about no income before. It figures we move, he gets hurt at work and we are SCREWED! Now we are HOPING that these lawyers are helping us, but we only have a week of time left now. So stressful!
@mrsjbelle (1641)
• United States
23 Apr 08
You poor thing. Man that must be tough. Makes me want to cry though believe me my situation is not that much better. Hang in there.
1 person likes this
@Sonadora (356)
• United States
23 Apr 08
That is a tough situation. Even though you are new at your apartment complex, I would still go to them and explain the situation at least a couple days before it is due. You never know just how sympathetic they might be. I have learned from experience that it does help if you talk to them. At least then it doesn't look like you're just trying to hide or trying to get away with something. Just be open and honest. I don't know of anything that can really get you a good amount of money in that short of time. It sounds like you're doing everything you can. I will definitely pray that you find a solution.
2 people like this
@guss2000 (2233)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Thank you! I'm hoping that everything works itself out, and maybe the checks will just show up tomorrow. But right now, I'm worried and so is my bofriend. He is the bread winner--- and we have nothing to fall on. We don't even have credit cards. We walked and talked alot today about what is our back up plan-- and we came up with nothing. The only thing we could think of is me selling as much as i can online, and doing my regular gpt stuff, and listing on craigs list. We don't have any 'rich' relatives or people with tons of money just sitting around.
My boyfriend did say that maybe his lawyer could talk to the complex for us and tell them (so that they believed us) that the checks were coming and we WOULD have the money, it's just taking a little longer then expected.
The lawyer was actually a bit surprised that we hadn't seen any checks yet, so I think they ARE working on things, it's just taking time and the politics of it all.
UGH! After this is all over, I think I'll need a vacation! LOL
@mansha (6301)
• India
23 Apr 08
I am sorry for all your troubles and hope your checks show up soon. I also agree to Sona that you go and talk to the complex owners with your lawyer and may be they will be humane enough to grant you an extension especially if previously you have never had any such trouble. Get a part time work in a shop as a a cashier or something to. check out local stores some of them do allow you to keep your baby with you. Even if its few hours job atleast you will see some cash and be better off.
1 person likes this
@mansha (6301)
• India
23 Apr 08
I am sorry for all your troubles and hope your checks show up soon. I also agree to Sona that you go and talk to the complex owners with your lawyer and may be they will be humane enough to grant you an extension especially if previously you have never had any such trouble. Get a part time work in a shop as a a cashier or something to. check out local stores some of them do allow you to keep your baby with you. Even if its few hours job atleast you will see some cash and be better off.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (164222)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Apr 08
Do you belong to a local church as sometimes they have funds to help in situations like yours especially if you have a handicapped or ill child . again are you so sure that you could not talk to the apartment manager about your money situation I mean its not your or your boyfriends fault that this has happened to you and does the manage know youchild with a tracheostomy and ona ventilater at night. this might be enough to soften his or her heart and let you just pay part of the rent if you have to. Also a lot of catholic churches have funds to help people in your kinds of situations too. it would be worth a call. also how about your parents or his parents could they help you over this rought patch. I hate to think of you like this with a little one who has problems. wish I could lend you the money but I do not have any either.
2 people like this
@guss2000 (2233)
• United States
24 Apr 08
My complex does know about the baby's problems, and they have seen his trach and g-tube.
I'm just so afraid that since this is our first month here, they will think we are using my son's medical issues as an excuse.
WE are trying to be good tenants, and I just can't believe how bad the timing of all of this is.
1 person likes this
@surveygrrl (1270)
• United States
24 Apr 08
Such a tough situation. I could see people saying get a job but it isn't that easy if you have someone who is injured taking care of a sick baby. Way too much to risk.
Looks like you have a lot of prayers cming your way and some great ideas.
I hope you can make your rent on time. Good luck getting the worker's comp check!
Prayers!
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13143)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Definitely call the lawyer and if need be the insurance company. We have been this route when my sister was injured at work and her company liked to play games with the check. Make sure when you call them you let them know about your son. Make them try to feel guilty for not sending the check. Also ask the lawyer if he will do up a letter for your rental place. There might be something he can do to help explain the situation. If you have a contract for so many months or for a year usually to be evicted takes more then a month or two which would allow you to catch up. I know that might not be a lot of help but it might buy you some time. You can also check with the charities in the area, they might be able to assist you especially since you have a child that is with serious medical conditions.
As for trying to find money that quickly in a short amount of time I can make three suggestions. One is signing up with RME, which is a new money processor like paypal that is only open to US residents. They give you $25 just for signing up and then $10 for anyone you refer. So you could sign up, get your $25 and then have your boyfriend sign up under you to get another $10. The other is signing up with Cashlagoon, it's a GPT site that pays out as soon as you get $2, or higher increments of $5, $10 and $20 I think but they payout usually with in 24 hours. The third is another GPT called Dollar Pays, they payout daily whatever amount you have there in your account. The first two you can find right in my profile but the third one you have to go to my site that is listed in my profile for the link.
I hope these help and good luck.
1 person likes this
@guss2000 (2233)
• United States
23 Apr 08
My boyfriend said that he thought the lawyer would write some kind of letter to the complex for us. I told him I didn't think they would. Now that you have mentioned it again, maybe my boyfriend is right-- maybe they would do something like that. That way it doesn't just look like we are making it up. It's worth a shot...
HOpefully its only a last resort, but it's the only thing I have right now if those checks dont come :(
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13143)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Well I hope the lawyer does help and that the checks arrive. If not the Revolution Money Exchange (RME) can get you at least $60 by next week. That is if you sign up and then he signs up afterwards from your link. It's not much but it might help with the addition to all the other stuff you are doing.
1 person likes this
@olivemai (4738)
• United States
27 Apr 08
Here is a special rent laws guide:
http://www.peoples-law.org/housing/ltenant/legal%20info/Bal%20county%20special%20rules%202.html
and here:
http://www.peoples-law.org/housing/ltenant/llt.html
is a tenant handbook for your area! You may have to take the landlord to court and at least respond when you get taken to court! It is the only legal way to force eviction on anybody in the United States! If your child is disabled, the judge has to consider that too! Often, the court process may not stop eviction but gives you enough time to save up for another rental or to get into a shelter! The shelters have waiting lists.
1 person likes this
@guss2000 (2233)
• United States
29 Apr 08
Thank yoU! It looks like that if we don't get our check by tomorrow, that we might be able to buy some time. Thank you again!
That site also gave me some information on some other rental things I had questions about, but never looked up.
Thanks!
1 person likes this
@olivemai (4738)
• United States
29 Apr 08
I learned how to handle it and had to stay in the shelters with my husband and children w few times now! The whole set up is to allow you more time and if the landlords is still going to want you to move, then you can start calling shelters to get on the waiting list and saving your money! IN most US states, only the police or sheriff can evict you by force! After all the court dates and hearings, which buy you six months time sometimes, to wait for your court appearance, then you file the proper paperwork and tell your case to the judge! There is a possibility that just informing your landlord that you know the rental laws and are preparing to go to court if necessary, that the landlord will back down and save money and time by waiting the three days for your paycheck to arrive! Try not to settle out of court, as tempting as it is, because then you will not be letting it up to the judge to decide!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31637)
• United States
23 Apr 08
You're really in a bad place. You need to be home for your son and your boyfriend is injured and can't look after him properly, I assume.
I can't make any suggestions for money right now except to sell your blood plasma twice a week, I used to do that. But you can sign up for survey sites, I know a few that pay and aren't scams. You can email me for links if you want. Since I'm 54 and single with no kids at home, I don't get as many surveys as you would. They usually want young folks with kids for the surveys, since that's the market that's hot.
You'll be in my prayers. Wish I could help more but if I think of anything else I'll post it. Aren't there any social services that can help you temporarily?
1 person likes this
@guss2000 (2233)
• United States
23 Apr 08
I think that by the time social services got around to doing anything for us, it would probably be too late. They take FOREVER helping anyone. I applied for energy assistance 6 months ago, and still don't know anything. NOw it's a mute issue and I don't need help with it, but still. Oh and I also applied for medical assistance for my self, and still know nothing. That was 2 years ago! LOL
@Kecia08 (554)
• United States
23 Apr 08
I am sorry to hear what all you and your family is going through...Hopefully the checks come soon! I have a link in my profile that will get you $25...I know that's not a lot, but I am sure every little bit helps. You just have to sign up for the site (it's a new site similar to PayPal), and they will deposit $25 in your account. They also give you a referral link so you can make $10 for each person you referral...Maybe if you know some people who can join, you can come up with the rent money! Good luck, and I will keep you in my thoughts!
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12836)
• Australia
23 Apr 08
i'm so sorry to hear about your situation... i will definitely pray for you... hopefully, the check will come soon and everything will be fine for you and your family... keep your faith in Him and be strong... i believe that He will give you a way... He never leaves His children alone when they are suffering... i don't really know what to do... all i can think about is babysitting... good luck and take care...
1 person likes this
@guss2000 (2233)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Thank you. I think all of the praying is working. The lawyer called this morning and said we should have a check no later than Saturday. I hope she is right!
I've been looking into babysitting lately too. At my old house I was watching a little girl after school for a couple of hours eacy day for $50 bucks a week. I've been hunting on craig's list to see if anyone needs child care. WAs hoping to find a kid close to my son's age.
