Bridge the Gap for Michael's Medical Leave

My name is Michael. Since I'm only telling a few people about this, you probably know me in some capacity already, so I'll skip the details on who I am. Suffice to say, I had finally managed to get a decent-paying day job at a large grocer chain, and right now I'm away from it. I had a mental health crisis the night before Election Day and am on medical leave from the company while I undergo intensive outpatient treatment.

The problem is that while I do this, I am not getting paid—at least right away. The process for benefits from the store's HR provider or the state government is slow; I only expect to miss 4-6 weeks, but I also find that I cannot expect to get much, if any, money coming in November. Rent is not an issue according to my building manager (the owners of the building would agree were the pace of documentation any quicker), but the phone and power bills won't wait, and neither will the innumerable other expenses of daily life.

Did I adequately prepare? Probably not—but paycheck-to-paycheck is not the easiest way to live. If there is a next time, perhaps I will learn better. If I can just get these bills paid and a bit of pocket money, that will tide me over until benefits kick in and/or I can get back to work and draw the paycheck I feel I need and do the work I feel I owe to my customers and coworkers.

Again, if you are seeing this, it is probably because I invited you to take a look at it. So, whatever the drill is, you know it. I don't plan to put this abroad to the public, although if you want to share, you can. I just need to get through a rough month before I return to my feet.

Sorry to bother you.