Thanks for the response, Dark.

It makes me nervous to see the number of people who have read my post continue to climb without any responses, so I was glad to see yours. Especially filled with good info.

When I had been on unemployment for a month (because they look at your previous month's income), I applied for food stamps and Medicaid. I was refused for both because my unemployment is considered too much income.

Can you believe that?

And I have REALLY low bills. For example, my house payment is about $250 less than what people in this same neighborhood are paying as rent for pretty much the same house.

I don't know how people are surviving if they bring in less than me and qualify for food stamps. They must not have any rent to pay at all. Like they are staying with relatives or homeless or something.