Unemployment, financial crisis, despair...solution?!

I desperately want paid work, in a job with health benefits. You will see why, below. I woke up this morning in a panic, shaking like a leaf, because since 2007/8, we have lost almost everything. We are holding on by a slender, tattered thread. Every day, I take a step forward, but am continually assaulted by shocks from the outside world, which throw me for a total loop.

I am tremendously well qualified: advanced degree, tons of experience, technical expertise, and great work ethic. My husband, who is equally well qualified, has the only job he can find: it pays $15/hr., no benefits, and he is docked for every minute he is away - going to the bathroom, eating lunch, etc. This has been going on since I was laid off just as the recession began. We have no health insurance – COBRA ran out long ago, as did unemployment. We have spent all our saving just trying to stay afloat. We have two beautiful children we adore, and I weep for them every day. I want so badly to create a safe, nurturing environment for them, and my grip is growing weaker and weaker due to the stress. We have no money (example: nothing to eat for dinner tonight). We've applied for every social program available: they are in the business, it seems, of losing documents and saying "no."

I apply and apply and apply. I contact friends and ex-colleagues. As I do this, to no avail, we have slowly lost everything - almost. My family of origin is well off but has abandoned me (husband’s family has all passed away).

Over the past 8 years, I've also fought (successfully) metastatic breast cancer, endless harassment by the IRS (3 audits - all of which showed we had overpaid our taxes), having been bullied on my last job, and endless threats by creditors. We just got audited again (why? we have nothing to collect! They even asked to see our mortgage statements, which are automatically sent to the IRS anyway).

If I can't get paid work, I can't pay my bills. We are totally on the edge. We could lose the house we have lived in since 1995 at any minute. I wake up in the morning feeling so hopeless I wish I were never born. It's not so much about me: it's about my children. I don't want their lives to be catastrophic. I want them to be safe, secure, and happy.... like I have so rarely been. I don't need advice – people love to give you useless advice and blame you for your problems. (Another reason to hate that “law of attraction” bs – as if the Tsunami victims in South East Asia were swept under the waves because they had ‘bad attitudes.’ Ridiculous)

I need two things: help, and realistic hope -- hope that turns into something tangible. I have worked so hard to hang on to both but I am exhausted. As I apply and apply and apply – to no avail - we have slowly lost everything - almost.

I go to religious services. I do reach out. I call and call and call, to God, to the light within and without, to others. Increasingly, I wonder - is anyone there?

ive been asking for endless advice on the very same things because we are not in the 90s anymore and there needs to be newer and better answers for everybody out there not **** that worked 20 yrs ago! we had a fire incident 2 yrs ago and my money ended up being maxed out there was so much drama with my idiot parents about the fire incident.

i do agree how u ask for advice people blame you for your issues which is not fair. the lack of support out there has gone downhill which is awful. i agree LOA is bs i tried it never worked just live by do unto others as if you have do unto you simple concept dont need a magic book to tell anyone that! lol

my contacts and my shabbat can not really offer much for advice which leaves me super duper angry all the time!

I don't know if I can help, but I'm willing to give it a shot. Have you called charity organizations such as United Way, Lutheran Social Service, Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and Catholic Charities? Also, ask at your church. They often have outreach programs. If your kids are in school, go in and talk to the guidance counselor. They usually have a social worker who might be able to give ideas. Also. find out where local food banks are. They should be able to help you in that aspect.

What type of work did you do prior to losing your job? Maybe I can give suggestions....don't know.

Not trying to give false hope but I have no idea what you've tried and what you haven't. I hope my thoughts give you some ideas.

Have you thought about a homeless shelter? Be forewarned though, you and the kids would have to be in a separate shelter from your husband. They don't have shelters for whole families, at least in my area. Once in the shelter you will get a case manager that can help link you to resources and get back on your feet. Ask about any possible transitional living programs in your area for longer term housing and help. I wish you all the best for you and your family.

assuming the homeless shelters are tight with money and there are actual resources for the mother and her kids. the homeless shelters here in my area are so packed with people of those who lost their jobs and the ones who have been homeless for a number of years.

Unfortunately that is often oh too true. Sometimes society just scares the **** out of me.

I can understand the panic. My situation is not the same but I am getting toward the edge also - http://forums.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=248452

That's my thread... rather than repeating everything. But the main thing is I get the same thing - advice instead of real help. I think people think advice IS actually real help.

If you'd like to just vent about your situation feel free to PM me. Oh yeah and I don't have any kids but I have a cat & a rabbit and I worry more about them than myself - after all they are my responsibility. I know I will survive somehow.

I can relate to what you are going through. Except without children or a spouse. I ended up losing three businesses and every thing else. A lot was caused by a divorce, terrible Judge and lying lawyers. I found Hud housing to live in. I'm stuck on living on Social Security. Being self employed all my adult life there is not much of chance things will change. On the other side a lot people are worst off than I'm.