Denied welfare

Sorry to hear that. Sounds scary.

If you want help, I was wondering if you could tell us what state you live in or at least what the requirements are to qualify for welfare in your state? I ask because sometimes there's creative ways to make yourself qualify if you are not way beyond their limits. For example, let's say you are barely over their income limit. Then you might fill a prescription (keeping the receipt) or get a doctor's note detailing another expense to make you qualify.

The only other thing I could think of would be to call 211 and try to find out about any other services you might qualify for to reduce the overall financial burden. Free phone service, discounts on prescriptions, medicaid/health insurance assistance, food (in addition to/other than foodstamps), assuming you meant SSI when you said, "welfare," rental assistance, heating assistance, discounts on your electric bill, assistance buying school supplies and clothing, etc. I would just call 211 and run down a list of things you could use help with (ex. a free phone, electricity discounts, health insurance options, clothing, etc.). Then tell them your situation and see if there's anything else that might help you.

Odds and ends to help minimize a financial hit:

Since you mentioned needing basic stuff like shampoo and deodorant, I'm going to list some links where you can get free samples. I know this isn't much, and may be a hassle, but I get these and it saves me money. Much better than going without!

Almond Milk* (free half-gallon to first 700 each day) Free Taste | Silk
Saline Solution* Biotrue Challenge | Bausch + Lomb
Pantene Shampoo** Free Pantene shampoo & conditioner sample
Nivea Lotion* NIVEA Sample - NIVEA
Eucerin Lotion* Eucerin | Skincare Products and Skin Wisdom for Skin Health
Female Products https://www.poise.com/samples-and-of..._samples_PTP_5
Depends Free Depend Sample Pack for Incontinent Men or Women | Depend and https://alwaysdiscreet.safeprocessing.com/get
Free Frozen Entree from Safeway Grocery Store** Free Marcela Valladolid Frozen Entree at Safeway - FB
Houlihans** (make sure location is "participating") Free $10 off to use at Houlihan's restaurant with email sign up
Potential App Freebies (not sure if these are still going on - call first to make sure locations are "participating"): Auntie Anne's free pretzel, McDonalds free burger, Starbucks free coffee, 7-11 slurpee

Again, I'm sorry to hear about this misfortune and I hope there's a better solution out there than what I'm aware of. Best of luck to you!

*I personally signed up for the ones with a single asterisk.
**Freebies with a large GREEN flag on the "Fat Wallet" website have ALWAYS been reliable in my extensive experience. The only exception I've experienced is when they have run out. I've used Fat Wallet for over 5 years.
***Again, it's not much, but there may or may not be marketing firms in your area that pay people decent money to fill out surveys and often times don't report to the IRS unless you make over $600. And some banks offer anywhere from $50 to $200 for starting a new account with them and they all have different rules and limitations, see FatWallet Forums - Finance and only consider posts with a GREEN flag. I think of this as another way to reduce the financial hit, until you can get this resolved.

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