Just an update. After calling my T and talking to her yet again about this matter, she continued to support me and give me solid advice. I was able to talk to him and reason with him and he agreed to give me $450 more a month. So now we are at the minimum that the law would require him to give me.

I talked to the T and she suggested I ask for the money in terms of "I need to know that we mean more to you then the money" and "I am willing to sacrifice and pay half of the rent and electric if you will pay the other half." I portrayed it as I am doing him a favor by only asking him for half of the electric and rent. I will have enough $ left over from the original $1000 he gives me. The additional $400 will cover rent and electric.

He has obviously been talking with the T about having money saved and me being entitled to part of that. The additional $ he will be giving me is part of what we have saved anyway. I am glad that he is willing to let go of some of that money. That gives me real hope for the future.