Rent Relief for Rachael and Her Children

TL/DR: I’m putting my pride and shame aside to ask for help as I am in a bad spot financially right now.

This is incredibly difficult for me to write, as it brings up feelings of shame, guilt, and embarrassment for me. Asking for help is not something I do - but I’m in a spot where I know it’s what I have to do despite whatever thoughts and feelings arise in myself. So, please, be kind in your thoughts towards me when you see this - I’m already feeling bad enough and like a failure for struggling to keep a roof over my kids' heads.

On 2/1/25, I will owe my landlord the next 3 months of rent (I have to pay upfront - not because of anything that I’ve personally done, but for reasons I won’t go into.) My rent is also increasing again to $2,200/month (a total of $500 more a month since becoming a single mom at the end of 2021). At this moment, I only have $2,200 of the $6,600 saved - I should hopefully have a little over $3,000 by 2/1, but clearly I’m in a bad spot.

In the past, I was able to just skate by each month thanks to the extra (PT) job that I had on the weekends that my kids went to their dad’s house. Unfortunately, that job closed its doors back in September, leaving me with only the pay of a Teacher’s Assistant and child support. I also didn’t get the size tax return in August (joint taxes, extended file) that I had been banking on to make ends meet. In the past, I would have received almost 3 months' worth of rent in returns - this time I got less than half of one month. I am incredibly grateful to be working at the job that I do, which helps me to maximize the important moments of my children’s life while also avoiding daycare costs 95% of the time. I am also incredibly grateful for the child support that I receive. And I really do try to budget what little money I have the best that I can. But unfortunately, it hasn’t been enough. And now with the rent increase and new bills that recently started, it is becoming more and more difficult to survive.

(Side note: I can’t “just move” because prices everywhere are just as bad, if not worse, than what I currently pay. My kids were also born and raised here, so if it’s at all possible to keep them here, I want to do that.)

I recently signed up for DoorDash and will be starting the next time my kids have a weekend at their dad’s. I wasn’t able to work before this because I needed to have carpal tunnel surgery and it took a longer time than expected for my hand to recover. Depression and anxiety also don’t help. I am hoping that starting DoorDash will help to fill the void in my budget, and do so without pushing me into a bracket that causes me to pay more for things (ex: my/my kids' health insurance, lose SNAP benefits).

But for now, I am stuck. And I don’t know what to do. So I’m here asking for help. I know it’s a lot to ask of others, but if there is any way at all of helping, I would appreciate it. Even the smallest amount would mean the world, as it’s that much less that I have to worry about. But please - if you don’t have, don’t worry - I don’t want my situation to become yours. Or if anyone has information that can point me in the direction of organizations or charities that can help (outside of DSS, as I qualify for SNAP but not any other assistance) that would be appreciated as well. Good vibes/juju into the universe is also appreciated.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Even if you just took the time to read this, thank you. It was incredibly difficult to write.

Rachael