I'm glad you got your check! That happened to me once when I worked for a family owned business and there was a divorce going on and half the family wouldn't give the owner of my part of the company payroll so we'd all be upset with her. It wasn't her fault at all. But it was SOOOOOO stressful.

Have you looked into assistance with heat/air conditioning? I know that it's available here and can make a difference. I assume it is available in other states too.