Thanks. Yes, my feelings were very hurt. THen I found out what they really think of me, so I guess that is the silver lining, when I finally sent them a message to ask why the silence?

Only 3 of them responded; one called me a "mooch" and insisted this would not be the last time that I asked family to help me financially; the other two listed reasons why they didn't want to help me, but offered to look at my resume (um, seriously??).

These are the same cousins who wouldn't help their aunt when she broke her leg, who is a widow and who needed help with her disabled daughter. These same cousins ignored their aunt's request for help and acted indignant to her when she asked them. Same as me, with the exception of the 1 cousin who lectured me while also offering me the $20.

Maybe I had no business asking people for financial help in their eyes, but my other options were not available to me (bank loan, county assistance, etc.,).

In the past I was friends with a woman who just couldn't catch a break; she was always in some kind of predicament and I always helped her out of it. Not because I felt sorry for her, but because I genuinely liked her as a friend and wanted to help her out. She eventually climbed out of her financial hole and is now very successful.

I don't know why there is such shame attached to asking people for help. I felt a little embarrassed at first, but then realized that I had every right to reach out to people to ask for help. Because, that's what you're supposed to do when you need help: seek help from others. My plan is to repay the few people who did help me out once I get back on my feet financially, as a gesture of thanks. That's the least I can do.