dont know what to do

I'm scared. Now, I know I got myself into this situation, so please don't lecture me. Anyway, here's the deal. The only income we have right now is my daughters survivors benefits, which is direct deposit. I can't work, but I got denied disability for really bizarre reasons (and yes, I got an attorney, and already had the hearing-so don't go there). We had some major problems with our plumbing, which I couldn't afford to pay for, so (stupid me) I took out a payday loan, kind of out desperation because I didn't know what to do. Well they have been taking the payments out of my bank account and they have been $300 a month, which ended up putting me more behind. Ok, so with all that, the plumbing got worse and the plumber (who turned out to be a crook) suddenly disappeared, and so I found another one, and it turned out the plumbing was worse than I thought so I had to pay about 3x as much as I did the first time. and then we had a few other emergencies that came up, So I ended up getting behind on my mortgage (my mortgage is with the same people I bank with). I tried over a month to get a hold of someone that I could speak to, but--wouldn't you know--they were making some changes in their system so it made it difficult to get a hold of anyone. On december 1st, I was notified by mail that I had until 4 p.m. december 11th to talk to someone about the situation and work it out. I could not get a hold of anyone. So I finally went in person, at 9:30 on the 11th, and even tho I was supposed to have until 4 that afternoon, they took it upon themselves to overdraw my bank account for two months payment--even tho I was only behind for one month. I tried working something out with them but they told me there was nothing they could do about 'cuz the deed was done, pretty much. Of course, the check I got deposited this month had to go to cover the overdraft, and then the $300 for the payday loan, and now I just barely have enough to buy groceries for a few days. I don't have enough to pay any of my bills, including this month's mortgage, anything. Fortunatly I was able to get a hold of my loan officer and work something out with them so that I could get a forbearance. But I don't know what I'm gonna do about anything else.

I would investigate food banks and call all my other bill people and work something out with them, too, before they have to contact you. I'd call a state agency, consumer affairs, etc. and see if something could be done about the bad plumbing guy if he could be caught or if the price of that whole mess could be reduced or spread out more; they will probably want to catch him as badly as you do (so no one else gets taken like you did) and having a "known" public problem like that might make the whole bill paying problems be considered as part of that/not your fault instead of each being isolated. I'd see if I could find a non-profit credit agency too, that could work with you and advise you how to work your way out of the hole. If the bank took 2 months worth of payments when you were only behind one, then "current" is paid up too it sounds like, that would be the 2nd payment, to make sure you are paid for this month?

Have you looked at other sources for food and mortgage relief or utility bill paying, etc. relief? Some places have one-time shortfall help. Washington Assistance Programs

You're situation sounds very confusing and very frustrating. I wouldn't be too hard on yourself, sounds like the plumbing thing was not your fault at all. As for the 'few other emergencies', that just sucks, it seems like a lot of bad things are happening all at once for you.

I'm not too familiar with public services and some of the stuff you were talking about near the end went over my head. So I can't help too much with that but Perna seemed to know what he/she was talking about, I'd look into those things.

I wanted to ask why aren't you able to work?

And secondly, the only suggestion I can make is to do some serious and diligent budgeting. Since that income from your daughter's survivors benefits is all you've got, I think all you can do is just do your best to weigh that against what you're in debt for. If you've got any friends or family that you know are very good with money I would suggest going to them to get advice, they may be able to help you budget.

And also, you didn't mention anything about family or friends and I don't want to assume anything about your relationships, but if it were me I would ask for help from the people who are close. I've had people give me money when I was in a pinch before, I was out of work for about six months a while back and I needed that kind of help. There's nothing wrong with that.

I hope you can keep it together, keep us updated!

I hate being scared when I'm trying to think, I get tunnel vision and can't think outside the box or feel very free to try new things, etc. I hope you have come up with a few things to try or have been able to postpone your bills a bit or something.