Still Unemployed After a Year...

If you have children you should receive cash aid as well as your food stamps. You may not get enough cash to keep your current living quarters so you might start putting in applications at low income housing apartments or consider getting a room mate.
Social Services in your area should be able to inform you of all the different programs available if you talk to a good worker that actually cares. In my county we have emergency homeless aid that prevents you from losing your current home and they help you for 18 mos for until you get your feet on the ground again. There are a lot of emergency homeless prevention programs out there, but you have to ASK about them.
Good luck.

4 moms found this helpful

My husband was out of work for 2 years. He temped, mowed lawns, did odd jobs for others, applied at fast food restaurants, took online surveys for money and free coupons for products, detailed peoples cars. A day before he took a job at a fast food joint he was finally offered a job. We ended up taking 4 years to pay off that debt. We survived, learned how to entertain ourselves for free, cancelled anything we could cable, anything other than the most basic phone, no air conditioning in summer, heat to a minimum in winter with coats. Food was kept healthy but minimal and no snacking, no pop, my husband quit smoking, no outings that required gas unless it was to work or interview. I wish you luck as it is a hard time and place to be. If you have relatives to camp at, give up the rent until you have work so it doesn't drag you deeper into debt.

4 moms found this helpful

There are local resources available to help you. It's a patchwork quilt, but you can stitch it together to cover your... needs.

I have inserted a blank before the dot in the links below to make sure they aren't automatically eliminated by computer. I have no direct involvement with any of these agencies, except as a donor and occasionally referring someone in need to them.

For food and general groceries assistance, look through the fairly comprehensive list at
http://www.phoenixdatacenter .org/groceries_print.lasso

Despite the name "Phoenix", they serve Santa Clara County. The list shows which places offer what services and what one must do to receive help. Addresses, telephone numbers and hours are also on the list. With all the resources listed, after a few phone calls and hoop-jumping, you may find much relief from your immediate needs.

Most local to you is the Mipitas Food Pantry:
Address 196 S. Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035
###-###-#### Website http://www.Milpitas_Food_Pantry .org
"Our mission is to serve low-income and no-income and homeless individuals and families food in the cities of Milpitas and Alviso. We also are working to make sure that they have clothes for themselves and their children. Our mission is to continue to help families and individuals in need to sustain their families nutritionally and make sure they are clothed.
We are part of the Second Harvest Food Bank network. We serve an average of 300 families and 800 individuals every month. In addition, we have a clothes closet which is open to all including a career closet for those looking for work and school uniforms for our local public schools."

Next, go to the main page for Phoenix Data Center and read up about other programs and facilities which can help you. Included are tabs for meals, groceries, health care, shelter, legal and transportation.

For your longer-term concerns about housing, utilities and such, besides what's listed on the Phoenix web site, try contacting the agencies below to see if they have ideas which can help your exact situation. Although the exact mission of some of these agencies isn't your exact match, they all have fairly up-to-date and comprehensive referral lists and may have more ideas than I can offer here. All of the resources listed below are reasonably local to you.

West Valley Community Services Of Santa Clara County, Inc. ###-###-#### 10104 Vista Dr Cupertino, CA 95014
website: http://www.wvcommunityservices .org
"The mission of West Valley Community Services (WVCS) is to encourage the sharing of community resources; to provide basic human needs in a caring and dignified environment; and to provide opportunities for volunteers to participate in WVCS's activities."

Clara-Mateo Alliance Inc ###-###-####
795 Willow Rd Menlo Park, CA 94025
website: http://www.clara-mateo .org
"The mission of Clara-Mateo Alliance, Inc. (CMA) is to provide shelter and supportive services to the homeless and those in need to help them obtain stable housing and be self-sufficient. CMA serves both Santa Clara and San Mateo counties as well as homeless from the surrounding Bay Area."

Emergency Housing Consortium Of Santa Clara County ###-###-####
507 Valley Way Milpitas, CA 95035
website: http://www.ehclifebuilders .org

Housing Industry Foundation ###-###-####
538A Valley Way Milpitas, CA 95035
website: http://www.HIFinfo.org
"HIF's mission is to help individuals and families either remain in or return to stable housing and to assist with special housing projects or renovations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. In addition, HIF supports efforts to identify long term solutions to the lack of affordable housing in our community."

Family Supportive Housing Inc.
1590 Las Plumas San Jose, CA 95133
website: http://www.familysupportivehousing .org
"San Jose Family Shelter provides temporary shelter and supportive services to homeless families in Santa Clara County to empower the families to move out of homelessness to independent, self-sufficient living in our community."

Innvision The Way Home ###-###-####
974 Willow St San Jose, CA 95125
website: http://www.InnVision .org
"InnVision is dedicated to providing shelter, housing and multiple resources to help homeless and at-risk families and individuals become stable and self-sufficient. Our programs meet basic needs and provide a safe, supportive environment that promotes self-worth and leads to independent living.

Beyond these local resources, you can explore this site:
http://www.nonprofitexpert.com/states/ca .htm

May God bless you and protect you and your family from want and harm.
In your shoes, but for the grace of God, go I.
Best wishes for quick relief from your worries and wants,
C. B.

4 moms found this helpful

I'm sorry that this economy is making a hard working American feel left behind :( We have a lot of friends that lost their jobs over a year to two years ago. My husband took 3 pay cuts so it was my turn to look for a job. I found a part time job on craigslist of all places. It's a job out of my field and also new and different. Maybe you can try getting a job part time even if it's something you don't think you can do.

Like the past person said church food banks, schools, communities, neighbors/family etc. Maybe the local grocery stores have day old bread and such they can give you?

I play the food game at CVS and Walgreens and BOGO offers. I use lots of coupons and get the free or nearly free items. My friend just got a divorce and lost her job a year ago. She has two kids and has food stamps after 9 months or begging for them. She continues to send out resumes daily.

We are having a garage sale and trying to "downsize" and helping people make daily ends meet. Then whatever we don't sell goes to Goodwill, in hopes to help another.

Good luck and big hugs to you.

3 moms found this helpful

Are you able to babysit anyone's kids for some extra cash? Do you have any special skills you could use to do your own thing? Does any friend/family have funds they can give/lend you until you do get a job? Are you willing or able to scale down your living/renting expenses, stay with a family member until you get a job, then save and move on? Just some ideas outside of government help.

3 moms found this helpful

Have you looked into using a temping agency like Manpower? I used to temp and that is how I ultimately got a permanent job, which eventually led to promotions and a management position.

3 moms found this helpful

Hey Lanenett,
I moved up here from Fremont.
Small world.

As a single mom, I was the sole wage earner for my family. I lost a very good paying job in the insurance industry and like you, I went from having unemployment benefits to having zero income. Period.
In Humboldt County, my son and I got food stamps, medical and TANF (temporary assistance for needy families). $519 per month for two people. The rent is $1000 for a small house. They put me on a work exchange program called WEX where you have to work 32 hours per week at an approved location PLUS be looking for other work because obviously no one can survive on $500 per month. The nice thing about WEX is that they pay for daycare and transportation costs to your WEX job which is intended for training purposes. It's only temporary...6 months and they don't let you keep all your earnings. Some of it is taken to pay back your TANF funds.
It's very, very hard to get caught up and get ahead. Some landlords will work with you, some won't. Mine isn't very nice and I've lived here and been a good tenant for 8 years.
Contact the Salvation Army because they have some programs to help people.
PG&E can give you a number to call for the HEAP program. They will help with your bill one time per year. There is also a program called ARRA that is stimulus money to help people from becoming homeless. The only drawback is that you have to be able to pay your rent on your own after the assistance but it might buy you some time. Your social worker should be aware of it.
My social worker was HORRIBLE. She basically told me I would end up living under a bridge. She said I could get emergency shelter which was 30 in a motel. A bed and a bathroom for me and my son.
There are better things.
They don't give you enough to live on so you have to get good at going to the dollar store for a lot of things.
Just reach out to all recources, food pantries, etc. I was thankful for the food stamps because at least we could get food. Housing is a real problem so just start contacting Salvation Army and places like that for programs. I heard about the ARRA program from a completely different source. (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Stimulus money to help keep people from becoming homeless. There are a few qualifying guidelines.
Just try more than ever to get a job and make use of your time to look into these programs.
I wish you the best. I really do.
This economy has hit a lot of people really, really hard.
I don't think most understand the severity of the situation.

Try to hang in there.

2 moms found this helpful

If you do not have a Bachelor's degree, apply to Chamberlain College of Nursing for Admissions Advisor. If you do have a Bachelor's degree, apply to DeVry University or Keller Graduate School as Admissions Advisor. I do not know anything about the programs you are looking for, but do know that company hires. Make sure your resume looks pretty good. Also go talk to Joy at Theophany Staffing in Naperville. She has helped so many people I know get jobs. Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful

Have you checked out your local chapter of the Salvation Army? Churches? County agencies? I babysit as well as clean a few houses a month to help supplement our single income/5 member household. Just hang in there...you can make it though this!

2 moms found this helpful

What a tuff situation. California should have some form of cash assistance (ADC, ADFC) to help with those things. Since you need diapers, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is another agency (provides food for pregnant women and children under five). Contact your local Community Action agency (each county is represented, supported by Federal funds) and they can give you a list of all agencies. I don't know what 'pg&e' is, but if you are refering to utilities...there is emergency help when you have a shut off notice both at your Job & Family Service (where you get food stamps) and private agencies. Also, your comunity action commisioner office can help you apply for PIP (percentage of income payment plan) where as long as you pay your PIP they cannot shut you off with your electric and gas (here it is 10% of gross for gas and 5% of gross for electric). They can also help you with HEAP (home energy assistance program which will cover the cost of about one month's bill). Local food banks sometimes help with health and beauty items...depending on if they have any or not. As for your rent...talk to your landlord. Explain to him/her your situation, ask what they can do to help you (ie do they need a babysitter, help cleaning or painting or mowing at other rentals to help cover your rent cost). As for finding a job, my only advise is to stay up to date in your field. Read books in your field. If you are able to, volunteer in your field; it will add to your resume and help you make some connections. I have a degree in Social Work, so you can send me a private message if you need more help.
Best of Luck.

2 moms found this helpful

I don't know how things go in CA but, in VA we have organizations like SACRA,Salvation Army and of course Social Services. Social Services should be able to help you find resources. Can you get things from your local food bank? Also try freecyle and Habit for Humanity. You may also be able to find(a) local churches that will help you. Keep trying to find a job. I just recently found one after being without for 11 months. Don't give up and reach out to whoever you need to to get help. It is a tough economy and tough time for everyone right now. I think we are all effected by this mess in some way or another. On the same day I found out that I had a new job, my best friend's husband found out he is losing his! On the same day I had my interview a friend of mine told me they are losing their home! My husband got a raise and my uncle lost his job. It is all so bittersweet. My heart goes out to you honey! Good luck and hang in there. I will keep you in my prayers.

2 moms found this helpful

There are usually foodbanks you can get extra food at. You can also talk to your caseworker about TANF (temporary assistance for needy families), typically this sort of money is reserved for families with children. I would advise that you google your local human services to educate yourself on the programs they offer and to see what you qaulify for. You may also have to ask about subsidized housing. Call your human services customer service line- I am sure they will have more info for you than I have. =D

Best luck-

2 moms found this helpful

Lots of good suggestions about local resources, definitely try the food banks, they usually provide diapers and toiletries as well as food. You should also join your local Freecycle group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Milpitas_Berryessa_EastSanJ..., somebody just yesterday offered a big bag of travel sized toiletries.

1 mom found this helpful

I feel your pain my hubby was jobless for 15 months.
You can see if a local food bank or church can provide you with what Food Stamps doesn't cover. Good luck! I live in MI, so I am not sure what California has in terms of help for you :-(

1 mom found this helpful

check into WIC. I have no experience with it but they provide food or formula for young children.
I have been stuck at a job I dislike very much for 2 years. I know it's hard out there but don't give up.

1 mom found this helpful

Families that haven't yet been affected by job loss don't fully understand how hard it is to find a job in this economy - especially if you're tenured, had a higher than average salary, etc.

I think you've received a lot of advice, and I really hope you're able to get things turned around and back on your feet quickly.

Don't be afraid to start asking to see what other people know. Start attending churches, Chamber of Commerce meetings, etc. to see what people can recommend and who they know who may be able to help you.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

I'm sorry I don't have specific info or resources for you, but I just wanted to encourage you. Remember, you only need ONE job to get going again! I'm sure there's one out there for you. Pray for and visualize your new job every chance you get! Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful

if you are in Sacramento, call 2-1-1 at 7:15 AM and ask for an assessment for housing assistance. You may be eligible for rent subsidy (if you are a renter)

1 mom found this helpful

you can apply for cash assistance through the state, look up your local wic program and they can help with food as well. also try different pregnancy counseling/crisis centers, they can help with diapers. i also know the state has different programs to help with rent and utilities, ask your caseworker, thats what they are there for. good luck

1 mom found this helpful

did you also apply for cash aid? If you have no income, you should be able to get something, especially if you have children. You can also check with your local churches for food give-aways. I know you said you're getting food stamps, but you'll probably find that it's not enough for the entire month. Also, your local dollar store may have some of the non-food items you need. My heart goes out to you. I don't know how they could have not approved an extension with so many people out of work! hang in there. I know it's terrifying.

1 mom found this helpful

L. E,
My heart goes out to you. I have been unemployed for about a year also and had to learn the exact lesson on how to survive with no income. If you have children under the age of 18 you can apply for cal works/tanf which is food stamps,medical, and cash aid. You can apply for cash aid if your children are older but they also require you to take classes on how to get a job, go on interview etc;. You can find some programs that will actually pay for your utilities, but you have to apply early before funds have been rationed. Try googling programs to financial aid in paying bills. Not sure if these same programs are available in Milpitas. Start looking on line or you can go to social service and get a list of different services in your city/county that give you groceries at least for food, when food stamps runn low.

I also have done some odd jobs like cleaning homes of friends that were looking for house cleaners and wanted to help me out. If you let everyone know you are looking such as church, auxillary groups, friends etc;, you may get a bite.

Keep your head up and not sure if you're a god fearing person, Prayer does help along with what your doing now seeking help via internet for ideas.

God Bless you and keep your head up. Our trials are tests that are temporary but seems like a life time when we're experierncing them.

1 mom found this helpful

have you thought about selling off some of your items, such as broken gold, it is paying quite well these days. You should also ask your worker for a recomendation of where to live, sometimesthey have subsidised housing. i would also check the local food banks. I am really sorry for your situation, and hoipe that you find another job quick.

1 mom found this helpful

Do you have any family/friends... that can help?
Lots of other good ideas here....
I would go to a local church in your area... and talk with them... they often have outreach programs...
There are also, in every state I believe, a "food bank" to help those who have nothing.... try researching that... or "community food pantry" type organizations... or "soup kitchens" to help those in need and with basics....

Here are some links for your area, for food programs:
http://www.milpitasfoodpantry.org/
http://foodbank.addresses.com/yellow-pages/category:Food+...
http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org82289.jsp

I hope these links/info helps you...
I wish you the best.... please let us know how you are doing,
Susan

1 mom found this helpful

In addition to the other suggestions - check with your local Catholic church (and possibly other denominations too).

I think ours provides emergency assistance to families.

1 mom found this helpful

I know PG&E and SMUD have programs for those in need that help for a month or two in paying your bill. Ask the customer service people and tell them of your hardship. I believe the name of the service is HEAP but check on that.
Re: food stamps, etc., file your application and put extreme hardship in need of food stamps immediately. Put that you are provider of household and if they deny you - immediately appeal and don't take no for an answer.
Also, I can offer you some choices for jobs that I have found to do - not steady income yet but potentially could.
T.
Email me at ____@____.com