Support Bev: Struggling After Losing Job

My name is Bev Gerrish and I recently lost my job through no fault of my own. I was at work, as a cashier in a department store, when I was called into one of the backroom offices. I was then told I was being let go. This happened 8 days after my birthday, when I turned 80 years of age. I asked why I was being let go, and no answer was given; rather, the subject was changed. I had heard a rumor in the store that staff were terminated when they turned 80, but I never gave it much thought since I knew of no stores that actually did that to employees at a certain age. However, I did know there were two older women on staff who had simply not been at work after a certain date, nor did anyone give any reason why they were no longer there.

I am now in the unhappy position of trying to find another job when it seems most retail employers are taking a wait-and-see attitude due to the recent economy.

So now, I spend my time making seemingly daily trips to the local unemployment office where I have so far filled out more paperwork than I ever thought possible and gotten literally no answers to any of my many questions. My primary concern is about how, exactly, am I to pay my rent, bills, put gas in the car to enable myself to go job hunt, and still make constant trips to the unemployment office to fill out yet more paperwork. I'm running out of ideas. I'm not too old to work, and the fact the majority of people think I'm in my 50s is a bonus on the job hunt front, if there were actually any jobs to apply for, which doesn't seem to be the case.

So I am being forced to turn to this option since even though I will continue to look for work, I need to find the means to pay my bills. If you good folks could give me a hand, I would be most appreciative. Thank you so very, very much!

Bev Gerrish